Defense Minister slams IDF’s Haredi draft plan: "It’s doomed to fail"

Speaking on March 12, 2025, Katz argued that such measures, devoid of a balanced approach, have historically yielded dismal results, with only a fraction of the haredi community serving. He outlined his vision for a recruitment law to the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, emphasizing two pillars: setting ambitious enlistment goals for haredim with sanctions for noncompliance, while protecting the Jewish learning tradition vital to Israel’s identity as a Jewish state. “Only by advancing these together can we achieve historic change and broad consensus,” Katz insisted.

Katz envisions integrating tens of thousands of haredim into combat and support roles, addressing the IDF’s pressing manpower shortages in both regular and reserve forces. He dismissed past tactics like the proposed notices as divisive, stating, “Those who incite instead of unite have no place here.” Critics, however, were quick to pounce. MK Gilad Kariv (Democrats) accused Katz of dodging responsibility, tweeting, “Your job isn’t to spout principles—it’s to draft 10,000 haredim yearly so reservists aren’t stretched thin and asthmatics aren’t sent to fight.” Vladimir Beliak (Yesh Atid) branded Katz the “Minister of Evasion,” alleging he’s pandering to haredi leaders for political gain while neglecting the middle class.

The IDF, guided by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, is gearing up to escalate arrests of draft-dodging yeshiva students, coordinating with the Population and Immigration Authority to nab them at Ben Gurion Airport. At Monday’s committee meeting, IDF representative Avigdor Dikstein detailed the rollout: 5,000 notices this Thursday, 5,000 more on April 6, and 4,000 on May 4. When MK Meirav Cohen (Yesh Atid) pressed him on meeting the 4,800-recruit target for 2025, Dikstein admitted, “As we see it, no—we’ll hit around 3,000.” The shortfall underscores Katz’s point: without a comprehensive strategy, the haredi draft remains a stubborn challenge.