Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz approved the call-up of 7,000 Ultra-Orthodox Jews to the military. It was noted that the orders calling them to military service will be sent out by the Israeli army in stages, starting on Sunday, November 17.
Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz approved the army’s decision to call up 7,000 Ultra-Orthodox Jews (Haredi) to the military. The Defense Ministry said in a statement that Minister Katz approved the decision to call up 7,000 Haredi soldiers. It was noted that the orders calling the Haredim to military service will be sent gradually by the Israeli army starting on Sunday, November 17. It was also stated in the statement that Minister Katz intends to hold a dialogue with all parties to promote a solution that will ensure the real integration of the Haredim into the Israeli army in order to ease the burden on active, permanent and reserve soldiers. There was discussion about whether this decision, signed by former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant the day before he was dismissed, would be implemented by Katz, who was appointed to the post by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported on November 4 that the Israeli army, which continues its attacks on the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, needs to call up 7,000 soldiers. Haredim in Israel frequently protest in front of military offices against their compulsory military service. HAREDI MAKE UP ABOUT 12% OF THE POPULATION IN ISRAEL
Haredim, who mostly refuse to serve in the military for religious reasons, make up about 12 percent of the population of the country of 9 million. The vast majority of Haredi Jews in the country live in the Measherim neighborhood in West Jerusalem and the city of Bnei Brak, near the capital Tel Aviv. Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who won the November 1, 2022 elections in Israel, includes far-right parties as well as the ultra-Orthodox Shas and United Torah Judaism parties in his coalition alliance. Most Haredi Jews, who have many differences with secular Jews and refuse to integrate with the rest of society, refuse to serve in the military on the grounds that they would not be able to live according to their religion in the army. There is a three-year compulsory military service for men and women in Israel. Haredim, who follow the ultra-Orthodox Judaism, are exempted from military service if they receive education in Torah courses (Yeshivas) until the age of 26. In Israel, the coalition partner Haredi parties want to legally guarantee the exemption of the group they represent from military service by passing a law stating that “Torah education is a fundamental right.”
