Haredi draft

The haredi draft question should be decided by voters, not outgoing lawmakers - editorial

Israelis, regardless of their political affiliation, cannot reasonably be expected to support legislation that even the prime minister could not bring himself to vote for.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews scuffle with police during a protest against the drafting of haredi jews, outside an IDF Recruitment Center in Jeursalem, November 12, 2025
Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel speaks to the media as she announces her resignation as Deputy Foreign Minister at the Knesset in Jerusalem, July 14, 2026.

Former deputy FM Haskel announces launch of new Israel First political party

Protests against haredi draft in Jerusalem, October 30, 2025.

High Court freezes Knesset law stopping arrests of haredi military draft evaders

Haredi protesters holding signs asking US President Donald Trump to save them from being drafted, July 15, 2026.

Ultra-Orthodox protesters block roads demanding end to IDF recruitment


Editor's Notes: High Court ruling on women in tanks deepens religious divide in IDF - comment

Women who made history in tanks on Oct. 7 fought in all-female crews. Both camps in the Armored Corps dispute should be claiming that morning as a victory. Instead, both pretend it never happened.

DF armored forces at a staging area in southern Israel near the border with Gaza. January 01, 2024.

WATCH: Haredi draft protests shut down highways, trains for two hours, scuffle with police

One 21-year-old haredi protester was hit by a car on Highway 1, and one 93-year-old civilian man was injured in the protests.

Haredi protesters block a highway in Israel on June 11, 2026.

Shin Bet investigates haredi protests amid concerns over threats to government sites - report

The Shin Bet is investigating haredi anti-conscription protests after multiple disruptive incidents, amid concerns that future demonstrations could threaten government sites or officials.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews hold placards during a protest against conscription in Israel's military, in Jerusalem on October 30, 2025.

Knesset advances bill to enshrine Torah study into Basic Law, supporting haredi draft evaders

It proposes that the State of Israel "recognize those who commit themselves to long-term dedication to Torah study as performing significant service to the state and the Jewish people."

MK Tally Gotliv and and MK Ofir Katz attend a House committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem on, June 9, 2026.

Grapevine: Fiscal support for the ultra-Orthodox

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

Border Police go about coronavirus inspections in Mea Shearim, a haredi neighborhood in Jerusalem.

Ministerial committee approves Torah Study bill amid coalition tensions

Netanyahu’s coalition advances the Torah Study law, despite opposition and warnings that the bill could worsen draft evasion amid Israel’s manpower shortage.

Shas leader MK Aryeh Deri seen during a Shas party meeting, at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on January 23, 2023.

Shas pushes tone-deaf Torah study law while soldiers die in Lebanon, Gaza - comment

Those who see Torah study as essential should acknowledge the unique burden borne by those who leave their lives behind to defend the country, and that yeshiva study is not a comparable sacrifice.

Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish sector has been protesting over the attempts to draft young haredi men into the military.

The rabbis attacking Israel’s courts are attacking Religious Zionism - opinion

The very ethos of Religious Zionism is integration: to bridge the sacred and the worldly, and to play an integral role in building the State of Israel.

Ultra orthodox jewish men protest against the jailing of yeshiva students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order, at the home of Supreme Court Deputy President Noam Sohlberg in the settlement of Alon Shvut, June 3, 2026.

Haredi parties to advance bill granting draft evaders equal rights to IDF soldiers

Shas party leader Arye Deri demanded that the legislation be rapidly advanced, and it is expected to be brought to the Knesset’s plenum for its preliminary reading this week.

Shas chairman MK Arye Deri attends the State Comptroller elections at the plenum of the Knesset, in Jerusalem, June 3, 2026.

Deri says Shas supports draft evaders during prison visit, calls to add Torah study to Basic Law

The visit was made to the Neve Tzedek Military Prison, and Deri was accompanied by other lawmakers from his party, including MK Michael Malkieli and Haim Biton.

SHAS PARTY leader Arye Deri visits military prison expressing support for draft evaders, Sunday, June 7, 2026.