Israel to draft more than 60,000 Yeshiva students into IDF
More than 60,000 Israelis have evaded compulsory military service, they are Yeshiva students. They exclusively believe in the study of Torah alone.
They have been exempted from compulsory military enlistment for more than seven decades. They only dedicate their time to the study of Torah.
They have argued they are fighting for Israel spiritually, and upholding the Torah. This category in Israel spend the rest of their lives studying and practicing Torah.
Israel has a history of fighting multiple wars at a time, and this made compulsory military service a law.
A war with Hamas is a war with Iran, Houthis, Hezbollah and other terrorist organisations scattered in the Middle East. Israel cannot afford to be short of boots on the ground.
Since after October 7, the intensity of war increased. Israel has lost over 300 soldiers in the war against Hamas, and Hezbollah is threatening the existence of the Jewish State.
Israel is in desperate need of manpower for multiple wars that involve maneuvering. The number has affected opening a new front in the northern part.
Israel’s left wing party had argued that the exemption is illegal, saying the burden of defence of Israel should not be placed on a particular category, that it should involve everyone.
A bill was drafted by the Knesset to lift the exemption, but Yeshiva students embarked on protests, vowing to leave the country if such bill is voted into law.
Israeli Government coalition is made up of right wing parties who support the exemption. They have since sat on the bill, taking the side of Haredi.
The Haredi has often argued they cannot be exposed to or mixed with unbelievers. They also argued that being drafted into IDF would expose them to mixing with non-adherent Jews.
What Changed The Game
Haredi has political parties that have helped form the government of the day. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is largely made up of conservatives, making bills against conservative ideologies hard to pass.
They use their significant numbers, and the influence they have in the government to subdue any bill that threatened conservative policies.
When it was clear that Knesset cannot effect needed change, those fighting against the Haredi decided to approach Israel’s highest court.
The matter was brought before the court and adjudicated. Jury found grounds to favor the complainants. The ruling brought to an end the exemption policy.
What Next
Haredi will now be drafted, although they are still opposed to the ruling. The ruling is final, and there is no option left for the Yeshiva students.
They will be drafted, and failure to comply, they will be penalised like others. Their schools will not also be eligible for government incentives.
The IDF is at war, and needs manpower. The involvement of Haredi Jews will go a long way to replenish and add to the boots IDF needed to execute multiple wars.
The jury understand the commonsense need of the IDF and the concept of collectivity. Without a Jewish State, there won’t be Haredi Jews. So, a Jewish State should first be secured.
