Haredi Poster Campaign Shifts Focus to Supporting Soldiers Serving in IDF
A new poster campaign in Bnei Brak and Jerusalem targets serving Haredi IDF soldiers, offering assistance with religious observance instead of protesting military conscription.
In ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods across Bnei Brak and Jerusalem, where street walls are traditionally plastered with posters protesting military conscription, a new campaign has emerged with a fundamentally different message. Rather than calling on young men to avoid the draft, hundreds of newly posted notices are targeting Haredi soldiers who are already serving in the IDF, offering them assistance when they encounter challenges in maintaining their religious lifestyle within the military.
The initiative is led by an organization named "Haredim for the Army, Preserving Identity," which operates a dedicated hotline for Haredi service members. The group aims to reach soldiers dealing with complex issues concerning kosher dietary laws, Shabbat observance, modesty regulations, gender segregation, and the overall preservation of ultra-Orthodox traditions inside military structures.
A Shift in Street Rhetoric
The posters mimic the traditional style and poignant language of Haredi wall notices, yet their core intent marks a notable departure from conventional anti-draft campaigns. "Reports in secular media indicate that thousands of Torah scholars and young men have enlisted in the IDF and risk facing severe spiritual trials," the posters read. "It is a sacred cry, as there is often no spiritual physician or remedy for these trials. The difficulty is immense, yet help has been scarce."
Unlike past efforts aimed at stopping enlistment altogether, this campaign addresses the practical realities on the ground. The organization emphasizes that as more Haredi individuals enter military service, the necessity for a reliable support system grows increasingly urgent for those who feel their religious framework is compromised.
Establishing a Support Network
According to the organization, dozens of Haredi soldiers have reached out since the posters went up, inquiring about the hotline's services, the types of assistance available, and how to report obstacles encountered during their deployment.
"More and more Haredi soldiers are serving in the IDF today, and therefore the need for a clear address is steadily growing. Our message to the soldiers is simple: If you encounter a difficulty in the military, you have somewhere to turn," said Adv. Yaakov Meyuhas, CEO of the organization.
"A Haredi soldier who enlists to contribute should not have to struggle alone with issues concerning his identity and lifestyle. Our goal is to assist soldiers and ensure they know they have someone to lean on," Meyuhas added.
While experts note it is premature to declare a widespread ideological shift in the Haredi street based on a single campaign, the decision to focus on supporting active-duty soldiers rather than protesting the draft itself highlights a changing discourse. The emphasis is visibly shifting from opposing military service to managing the reality where Haredi soldiers are already serving and striving to protect their way of life.
