IDF Reports Rise in Haredi Enlistment as 110,000 Draft Evaders Cited
The IDF reports a rise in ultra-Orthodox enlistment with 781 new soldiers, alongside a record 286 combat recruits since August. Meanwhile, the Attorney General informed the High Court that roughly 110,000 draft-eligible individuals are violating the law.
The Israel Defense Forces report a continued increase in ultra-Orthodox enlistment, with 781 Haredi soldiers joining specialized military tracks since August. Concurrently, combat roles reached a record high of 286 recruits, compared to 230 during the corresponding drafting period last year.
Recent weeks saw accelerated growth in technological paths, welcoming 234 soldiers over the past two weeks alone. These recruits join the 547 who began their service earlier in the cycle. Specifically, 139 soldiers integrated into the "Kodem" track, 57 into "Maalot Tzur," and 38 into "Paamei Atid." Military officials expect this positive trend to persist in upcoming recruitment waves.
Attorney General Highlights Enforcement Gaps
Despite the positive military data, the Attorney General presented a complex legal landscape to the High Court of Justice last week, revealing that approximately 110,000 draft-eligible individuals are currently in violation of the law. According to her assessment, the state fails to fully utilize existing enforcement tools to combat draft evasion effectively.
In response to widespread non-compliance and insufficient state enforcement, the Attorney General urged the court to consider issuing operational directives. These measures would potentially strip draft evaders of various financial benefits.
