Smotrich: ‘Complete lie’ that IDF troops are burdened because of Haredi exemption

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich dismissed claims that IDF soldiers are overburdened due to ultra-Orthodox draft exemptions as a 'complete lie,' contradicting military warnings of severe manpower shortages. He claimed 50,000 combat-trained reservists are available but unused due to equipment gaps, without evidence. The IDF warns of a 12,000-soldier shortage, expected to worsen in 2027.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Tuesday dismissed as a 'complete lie' the claim that IDF soldiers are overburdened because ultra-Orthodox men do not enlist, directly contradicting repeated military warnings about severe manpower shortages. Speaking at a campaign event, Smotrich claimed that some 50,000 combat-trained reservists are willing to return to service but cannot be utilized due to shortages of equipment and infrastructure, though he provided no evidence for that figure. The IDF has repeatedly warned it is short some 12,000 soldiers, a gap expected to widen when mandatory service is shortened in early 2027, and has explicitly cited ultra-Orthodox draft exemptions as a contributing factor. In May, the military warned of severe burnout among troops and cautioned that the reserve force could 'collapse' unless legislation advanced to draft approximately 80,000 eligible Haredi men aged 18-24. Smotrich's remarks come amid longstanding anger within his far-right Religious Zionism party's base, whose members serve disproportionately in combat roles, over blanket exemptions for Haredi men. Separately, a video circulating online showed ultra-Orthodox youths tearing down campaign signs for the newly formed Charedi Public party, which advocates Haredi conscription and is led by Moti Leitner. The party, polling below the electoral threshold, includes women on its slate and could draw votes from established Haredi parties Shas and UTJ.