Will this election end the battle over drafting haredi men into the Israeli army? - analysis

Analysis of the political battle over drafting haredi men into the Israeli army ahead of the October 27 elections. The article traces the history of the exemption from 1948 to the present, noting that since June 2023 there are no legal exemptions. It highlights the manpower shortage caused by the Oct. 7 war and a recent poll showing public support for equal drafting of haredim.

Ahead of the October 27 elections, this analysis examines whether the long-standing political battle over drafting haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men into the Israeli army may finally be resolved. The article traces the issue from the 1948 exemption of 400 yeshiva students to the present, noting that since June 2023 there are no longer any legal exemptions for haredim. It highlights the manpower shortage caused by the war that began on Oct. 7, 2023, with hundreds of thousands of reservists serving extended periods. A recent poll by the Israel Democracy Institute found that a proposition for equal drafting of haredim received the most support among several options. The article notes that haredi parties hold 15-20 Knesset seats and have been part of Netanyahu's coalition, creating political resistance to mass enlistment. It also mentions that the IDF has been hesitant due to the need for special accommodations for haredi soldiers.