Israel's Military Starts Drafting Ultra-Orthodox Jews Amidst Tensions Over 'Army of God' vs. 'Army of the State'

Strategic Insights -

As the Israeli military sent out the first 1,000 conscription notices to ultra-Orthodox Jewish men, the battle over serving "the army of God" vs. "the army of the state" has become a contentious issue in Israel. The draft is a result of a unanimous Supreme Court ruling that the government must stop exempting ultra-Orthodox men from military service. However, many Haredi rabbis, including Yitzhak Yosef, have opposed army service, urging their followers to tear up their draft notices and not comply.

This is more than a political crisis for the Israeli government; it is a fundamental question about the cohesion of Israeli society and the Haredi population's attitude toward the Jewish state. Historically, Orthodox Jews struggled to justify the idea of a Jewish state, as they believed it would be blasphemy. However, a minority among the Orthodox identified with Zionism, and after the Holocaust, many survivors sought refuge in the new state of Israel.

Today, the Haredim (ultra-Orthodox Jews) have grown from a tiny segment of society to around 14% of the population, with an average of 6.5 children per woman, compared to 2.5 among other Jewish Israeli women. The resulting transformation of Israeli society is a challenge to its economic and societal structure. Haredi households pay nine times less income tax than non-Haredi households and receive over 50% more state support. However, most Haredim would struggle to find well-paid jobs as their state-subsidized private schools teach hardly any secular topics.

The state plans to issue draft orders to 3,000 Haredi men over the next few weeks, but many of them might choose not to comply. The related issue is that without even a minimal secular education, the majority of Haredi youth would not be easily integrated into the army. This is where the draft becomes symbolic, telling them that they too have to share more than the spiritual burden of a war-plagued society.

Key Takeaways:

  • 1,000 ultra-Orthodox Jewish men have received their first conscription notices, making it the first time they will be required to serve in the Israeli military.
  • The Supreme Court made it clear that the government needs to find ways to draft Haredi men or establish a new law to excuse them, following years of political wrangling over the exemption.
  • The draft of ultra-Orthodox Jews highlights deep divisions within Israeli society, with many Haredi men and women opposing the idea of serving in the army.
  • The ultra-Orthodox community has grown significantly, with around 1.3 million people making up 14% of Israel's population, compared to 2.5 children per woman among other Jewish Israeli women.
  • The state plans to issue draft orders to 3,000 Haredi men over the next few weeks, but many may choose not to comply.
  • The Haredi community receives over 50% more state support than other sectors and has a high birth rate, posing a significant challenge to Israel's economy.

Statistics:

  • 1,000 ultra-Orthodox Jewish men have received their first conscription notices.
  • Around 1.3 million people, or 14% of Israel's population, are Haredim, compared to 2.5 children per woman among other Jewish Israeli women.
  • The Haredi community has an average of 6.5 children per woman, which is significantly higher than other Jewish Israeli women.
  • The state plans to issue draft orders to 3,000 Haredi men over the next few weeks.
  • 90% of Israeli Jews oppose the blanket exemption of ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service, according to a recent poll.

Sources:

  • The Conversation -- USA -- By Michael Brenner, Professor of Jewish History and Culture at Ludwig Maximilian University and Abensohn Chair in Israel Studies, American University.
  • AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean.
  • AP Photo/Ariel Schalit.