Arrest of Ultra-Orthodox Men Sparks Debate on Military Service in Israel

At least 40 ultra-Orthodox Jewish men were arrested on Tuesday morning at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. They were suspected of trying to evade the country’s mandatory military draft, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

“These individuals passed through the border crossing at Ben Gurion Airport and are subject to mandatory military service. They will be tried in accordance with the law,” the IDF stated.

The mass arrest by military police was notable due to its scale. This event highlighted the ongoing national debate over whether ultra-Orthodox citizens should serve in the military like other Jewish Israelis.

Traditionally, ultra-Orthodox Jews have been exempt from military service. However, in 2024, Israel’s Supreme Court ruled that, without a law to legalize the exemption, the military must begin drafting them.

The issue became even more pressing after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, which led to a multi-front conflict. This has brought the question of service equality to the forefront of political discussions, especially with national elections set for October 27.

Many Israelis in the military, particularly reservists, have expressed frustration about bearing an unequal share of the state’s security responsibilities.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews, also known as Haredi, account for about 13% of Israel’s population. This figure is rapidly increasing and is projected to reach nearly 25% by 2050, based on estimates by Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics.

In Netanya, Israel, leaders from the Breslev Hasidic community recently participated in a protest. They were rallying against mandatory military conscription and the imprisonment of those who don’t report for service.

Amir Levy/Getty

Instead of military service, most ultra-Orthodox men engage in full-time religious study. Political leaders of this community have called for legislation to formalize their exemption. Such a law would also specify a quota of ultra-Orthodox men and women required to perform compulsory service.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been dependent on ultra-Orthodox party support since the 2022 elections. He has had to balance their demands with those of others advocating for service equality.

In an interview with Kol Barama, an ultra-Orthodox radio station, Netanyahu stated his opposition to the arrests. He believes this approach hinders efforts to enlist ultra-Orthodox individuals without forcing them.

Reported Topics: War, Iran, Hamas, Israel, Gaza, Middle East, Judaism, Benjamin Netanyahu