This article explores the complex reactions among Israel's ultra-Orthodox community regarding their now-mandatory military service, following a pivotal Supreme Court ruling that dismantled longstanding exemptions.
The Unfolding Dilemma: Ultra-Orthodox Enlistment in Israel's Military
The Unfolding Dilemma: Ultra-Orthodox Enlistment in Israel's Military
Israel's changing military draft policy now includes ultra-Orthodox Jews, who historically were exempt from service, igniting societal tensions.
Israel is facing a significant shift in military policy as ultra-Orthodox Jews, previously exempt from service since the founding of the state in 1948, are now being drafted into the Israel Defense Forces. This change has sparked various responses from the Haredi community, showcasing a dynamic of integration versus tradition.
Yechiel Wais, a new draftee, embraces the opportunity, seeing military service as a path to better integrate into broader Israeli society. In contrast, Chaim Krausz vehemently rejects the draft, fearing that military life will compromise his religious beliefs. Another draftee, Itamar Greenberg, opted for prison, preferring incarceration to violating his convictions by serving in combat.
Photographers Sergey Ponomarev and reporters Jack Nicas and Adam Sella documented the lives of these three men over six months, highlighting the changing landscape for the Haredim. Traditionally, ultra-Orthodox men were exempt from military duties in exchange for supporting the secular nature of the state. This arrangement endured until the recent Hamas-led attacks and subsequent warfare that escalated since October 7, 2023, forcing the military's hand.
Amidst rising frustration from a populace that views unequal burdens of service as increasingly unjust, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that the ultra-Orthodox no longer qualify for exemptions, prompting a draft notice to 10,000 Haredi men. So far, only a small fraction, 338, have responded.
With the growing population of Haredim—now making up 14% of Israelis, projected to reach 50% of Israeli children in just four decades—Israel grapples with a crucial dilemma: how to incorporate its most rapidly expanding demographic into a mandatory military structure while managing escalating societal tensions.
