'Israel's' ultra-Orthodox resist forced military conscription: WSJ
5 Min Read
The Wall Street Journal published a report concerning the IOF's efforts to recruit ultra-Orthodox Jews in the military, coupled with the latter's resistance to being forcibly conscripted.
-
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish demonstrators gather for a protest against a ruling by the Israeli High Court that they must be drafted into military service, June 30, 2024. (AFP)
The Israeli occupation has faced a significant shortage of military personnel and manpower since October 7 due to its ongoing genocide in Gaza, its expansion of operations to the West Bank, and its war with Lebanon.
In an attempt to expand its forces, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled in June that the military is allowed to implement obligatory conscription, drafting its ultra-Orthodox (Haredim) population.
The Israeli forces are aiming to recruit 3,000 Haredi men previously exempted from the military due to their full-time religious commitments and studies.
The Wall Street Journal published a report on Thursday discussing how the majority of Haredi Jews are resisting the forced military conscription, essentially countering the Israeli mainstream culture.
'Worse than death'
“For us, being in the army is worse than death,” 19-year-old ultra-Orthodox Shlomo Roth told the news outlet.
Approximately 300 Haredi men were enlisted into the IOF on Monday, especially since the day was reserved to host religious recruits. However, most Haredim resisted the draft despite the approaching conscription deadline set for the end of the year.
The Israeli military issued court-mandated draft orders demanding 900 ultra-Orthodox youths to appear at an induction center to complete their initial evaluations in mid-August. Despite the legality of the command, only 48 Haredi abided by the order.
Political commentator Israel Cohen said that most Haredi men used to appear at the induction centers to obtain an exemption. However, the community has shifted its stance. Only extremist Haredis pushed the ultra-Orthodox to avoid contact with the IOF prior to the June ruling.
“Today all of the Haredi mainstream says this,” Cohen said, referring to rabbinical leadership that oversees several Haredi communities in "Israel," adding “It is a de facto extreme step.”
The occupation's failed attempts at enlistment, public demonstrations
Over the years, the Israeli military has made various efforts in an attempt to recruit ultra-Orthodox individuals.
These initiatives include establishing special units with support infrastructure for religious soldiers and launching campaigns attracting men under the guise that military service would aid in career building.
These efforts ultimately failed, with experts reporting that less than 2,000 soldiers in the IOF come from an ultra-Orthodox background, many of whom became less religious.
The occupation's offensive fronts have resulted in the military altering its recruitment approach to significantly increase their Haredim soldiers by redoubling their efforts, as well as becoming more inclined to invest in their lifestyle accommodation.
“We got to the point that the IDF needs them and wants them,” a security official involved with Haredi recruiting said, highlighting that since October 7, the IOF introduced two Haredi enlistment programs that boosted the interests of youths.
It remains unclear how the IOF and Haredi youth will address the widespread drafting evasion. Essentially, the Israeli military generally issues around three notices before initiating legal procedures that, if the individual is deemed a deserter, could result in arrest or blocking him from leaving “Israel.”
“There is a will, but there is doubt,” the official said, referring to demonstrations and social pressure hindering the recruitment process.
On Sunday before midnight, the IOF ordered the conscripts to report outside a park ground in Tel Aviv the following morning to begin the recruitment process while fending off demonstrators who were screaming "traitor" and demanding they remove their kipot.
The protesters were also holding placards denouncing the Israeli government's attempts to draw the Haredi community into its mainstream.
Increasing Haredim IOF participation
Last month, the Israeli military announced it was recalling thousands of former personnel while the Security Ministry pushed for the integration of increased mandatory service minimums and reserve-duty obligations into the legislation.
There have been long-standing tensions between the Haredi community and mainstream Israelis. The latter feel resentful towards the Haredi communities for supposedly leaving the economic and security responsibilities to others while they argue they contribute to "Israel's" Jewish spirituality and provide security through prayers.
The Haredi community is the largest, fast-growing population in "Israel," which currently stands at around 1.3 million people.
Approximately 80,000 men in the community are of draft age, with experts speculating they represent 41% of the IOF's potential draft base.
'Israel' threatens prosecution of soldiers refusing to return to Gaza
The Israeli Occupation Forces have reportedly threatened their soldiers with prosecution if they do not return to Gaza to continue the ongoing genocide in the Strip amid increasing refusal cases in recent months.
Approximately 20 IOF soldiers from an infantry brigade have refused to return to Gaza, "Israel's" KAN public broadcaster reported on August 30, with around 10 of the soldiers receiving official warnings stating they would face prosecution for disobeying military orders.
Families of the IOF soldiers claim that their military relatives “are forced to conduct ground maneuvers in Gaza or face prison," adding “There are only a few soldiers left in their company who are capable of fighting... This is our time as parents to help them confront a system that does not care about them."
Some members of the IOF have said that although they are unable to return to the Gaza Strip, they are willing to assume other duties.
The occupation's minister of security, Yoav Gallant, stated last month that Tel Aviv needs 10,000 new soldiers immediately amid manpower shortages.
