Haredi draft

Netanyahu convenes emergency meeting as haredi parties threaten to block state budget vote

Both haredi parties have threatened to withhold support for the state budget unless agreements are reached on the draft law to avoid conscription.

 Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich speaks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as lawmakers gather at the Knesset plenum to vote on a bill that would limit some Supreme Court power, in Jerusalem July 24, 2023.
Ultra orthodox jewish soldiers from the Hasmonean Brigade take part in a beret march after completing seven months of basic and advanced training, at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old city on August 6, 2025.

IDF chief promotes Hashmonaim Brigade commander to chief adviser on ultra-Orthodox issues

Opposition head Yair Lapid arrives for a court hearing at the Supreme Court on a petition against the transfer of funds to ultra-Orthodox educational institutions, January 8, 2026

Israel's Opposition hits 61 seat majority for first time in months - poll

AN IDF reserve soldier reports for a military drill along the border with Lebanon and Syria.

IDF to trim reserve duty, could expand mandatory service as soldier shortage deepens


Ex-NSC chief Tzachi Hanegbi slams haredi draft bill, warns it endangers Israel’s future

"The IDF needs an additional thousand fighters," he continued. "The proposed law, as is, does not advance this goal; it enables dodging, and endangers the future of the state."

 Former National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi seen at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, July 14, 2025

New haredi draft bill grants 'amnesty' for haredim called-up since 2023 - explainer

The new haredi draft bill softens personal sanctions, allowing draft evaders to regularize their status around age 26. This flexibility draws sharp criticism from the opposition.

Haredi soldier

Bismuth advances updated ultra-Orthodox IDF draft bill as Knesset prepares for decisive debates

The revised bill is described by its drafters as a “balanced” response - but its core architecture offers the haredi sector a wide window of relief.

Likud MK Boaz Bismuth, chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, leads a meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, November 10, 2025

Violent clashes in Ramat Gan as protesters attack troops detaining draft-dodging yeshiva students

As tensions rose, Border Police rescued the soldiers under attack. Protesters overturned a military police vehicle, chanting, "We do not believe in the rule of the heretics."

Ultra orthodox Jews block a road and clash with police during a protest against the drafting of ultra orthodox jews to the Israeli army, in Ramat Gan, December 24, 2024.

Police arrest 14-year-old suspected in attack on MK Yoav Ben-Tzur’s vehicle

The incident unfolded amid heightened tensions in the ultra-Orthodox (haredi) community surrounding military-conscription legislation, which Shas supported.

Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators protest at the Bar Ilan intersection in Jerusalem, following the arrest of a haredi draft-dodger.

Opposition holds 61-seat edge despite coalition drama, 'Maariv' poll finds

The new survey published Friday shows the anti-Netanyahu bloc held 61 seats as debate over Haredi draft, UN Gaza plan, and Saudi normalization roils politics.

Opposition lawmakers seen at the Knesset, October 27, 2025

Israel's haredi draft crisis: Court ruling and political stalemate reach breaking point - analysis

Israel's haredi draft crisis intensifies as court ruling forces action, while political divisions and protests make it difficult to see a path forward.

 Haredim protest against the IDF draft outside Tel Hashomer recruitment base, April 28. 2025.

Israeli government must enforce policy against IDF draft evaders, High Court of Justice rules

The court issued an absolute order, requiring the state to act diligently and swiftly to initiate real criminal proceedings against haredi draft-evaders.

Sign held at protest against haredi draft reads: "Undettered by arrests, trembling from the targets," in reference to the IDF's set targets for haredi constription, Jerusalem, October 30, 2025.

Ultra-Orthodox leaders give haredi factions green light to advance IDF draft bill

The past week has seen violence from within the haredi community from extremists who are against a law that would require army enlistment from members of the community.

 Rabbi Dov Lando seen during a meeting to discuss the drafting of ultra-Orthodox jews to the IDF in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, April 5, 2024.

Liberman slams haredi draft-dodger extremists, ultra-Orthodox parties condemn violence

UTJ and Shas denounce violent haredi extremists as tensions rise over a contentious IDF draft bill, prompting political backlash and stalled legislation.

Yisrael Beytenu chairperson Avigdor Liberman denounces the haredi extremists during a Knesset faction press conference, November 17, 2025.