IDF Faces Low Compliance with Haredi Draft Orders Amid Growing Tensions

In a recent report presented to the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, it was revealed that only 461 Haredi men out of the 3,000 who received draft orders in July 2024 have reported to IDF recruitment offices. The low compliance rate has raised concerns about the implementation of the Haredi military draft, as over 2,400 Haredim now face arrest warrants for ignoring their draft orders.

Brig.-Gen. Shay Tayeb, head of the IDF’s Planning and Personnel Management Division, shared the data, highlighting that 1,242 Haredi men already have arrest warrants issued against them, with an additional 1,212 expected to receive theirs soon. However, the IDF has yet to enforce these orders at a significant level, citing a lack of resources to carry out the enforcement.

The tension between the Haredi community and the Israeli military over compulsory service has been ongoing. A growing divide exists, with many religious leaders opposing military service for their students, citing concerns about preserving religious observance. Rabbi Yaakov Medan, head of the Har Etzion Yeshiva, criticized Haredi leadership and called for greater autonomy for Yeshiva students in making decisions about military service. He stressed the importance of allowing students more freedom to choose whether to serve in the military without being pressured by rabbinical authority.

“Rabbis need to allow their students much more freedom of choice and trust that they can remain Torah-observant even if they serve in the military,” Medan said. “An army cannot function if the commander is not the one making the final decision."

The IDF has already begun taking legal action against Haredi draft dodgers, warning that those who fail to report for enlistment will face criminal sanctions. The military aims to increase the number of Haredi recruits by 3,000 this year, bringing the total number of draftees to around 4,800. However, the current compliance rate for the Haredi draft is less than 3%, far below the 10% compliance seen with the summer draft orders.

Tensions are also mounting politically, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly warning Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein to "fall in line" regarding the Haredi draft law. Edelstein has pushed back, emphasizing the need for patience in achieving the law’s objectives. Shas chairman Arye Deri even warned that if the draft law isn’t finalized soon, elections could be triggered due to Haredi parties leaving the government.

As Israel grapples with this sensitive issue, the challenge remains balancing the Haredi community’s religious autonomy with national security needs. The IDF is committed to enforcing the draft, but it will require careful navigation of legal, religious, and political challenges to meet the military’s goals and ensure the security of the nation.