Shas Council of Torah Sages urges non-compliance with IOF draft orders

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
18 Jul 2024 06:15

The Council of Torah Sages of the Shas movement issued an official statement calling for non-compliance with orders from the Israeli occupation's military and advising against reporting to recruitment offices.

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Israeli police disperse Ultra-Orthodox Jews blocking a highway during a protest against possible changes to the laws for military drafts near Bnei Brak, 'Israel', June 2, 2024. (AP)

The Council of Torah Sages of the Shas movement issued an official statement on Wednesday, urging non-compliance with orders from the Israeli military and advising against reporting to recruitment offices.

By doing so, the spiritual leadership of Shas, which represents Sephardic Jews, joins a similar directive issued last week by leaders of the Lithuanian Haredi faction, the Yerushalmi wing, including Rabbi Dov Landau and Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch.

In their statement, the Shas rabbis declared that "The war against the Lord has intensified," further stating that "entities led by the Supreme Court and the judicial bureaucracy are working to harm the Torah world."

Thus far, the Council of Torah Scholars in Agudat Yisrael has officially refrained from issuing a similar directive, though it is expected to provide guidance on this matter in the coming days.

IOF to begin drafting Haredi Jews starting next week

The Israeli occupation military will kickstart the process of drafting ultra-Orthodox Jews for military service starting next week, Reuters reported on Tuesday.

A statement released by the Israeli military revealed that starting Sunday, "the process of issuing initial summons orders for the first call-up" would begin, ahead of the upcoming July recruitment cycle.

Consequently, Haredim protesters clashed with the occupation police on Tuesday and blocked a main highway before being forced to disperse.

The issue of mandatory conscription has been a heated topic in "Israel" amid the Haredim community's rejection of the legislation. Community members have been constantly protesting their government, while chief Rabbis have called for boycotting all recruitment offices.