Israel's ultra-Orthodox community, once exempt from military duties, is now being called to serve. Among the new recruits is Yechiel Wais, who sees military service as a pathway to becoming more integrated into Israeli society. In contrast, Chaim Krausz discarded his draft notice, fearing that serving would conflict with his religious beliefs. Meanwhile, Itamar Greenberg chose imprisonment over military service, preferring to serve time rather than participate in combat.
Journalists spent half a year documenting the experiences of three ultra-Orthodox men who were drafted. Historically, these men, known as the Haredim, were not required to serve in the military. This exemption was part of an agreement made at Israel's founding in 1948, where Haredi leaders supported the secular state in exchange for military exemption.
This arrangement lasted until the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which led to a war in Gaza involving hundreds of thousands of Israelis, but very few from the ultra-Orthodox community. This situation has intensified long-standing tensions. The Haredim, who typically have large families, now constitute 14% of Israel's population, a significant increase from 5% in 1948. Projections suggest they could make up half of all Israeli children in 40 years.
As their numbers have grown, frustration has mounted among other Israelis, whose children serve in the military while the Haredim receive state support to study religious texts. Last summer, these tensions reached a peak, prompting the Israeli Supreme Court to rule that ultra-Orthodox men must serve. Consequently, the military issued draft orders to 10,000 Haredi men, but only 338 have reported for duty.
Israel now faces a complex challenge as its fastest-growing demographic resists military service.