Charedim in Lakewood Throw Harav Hirsch Under the bus Because He has agreed to allow some Chareidim to be Draftred

 

As I often say, Charedim seem to turn more harshly on their own than on the Zionists.

Just minutes after news broke that Harav Hirsch and Rav Landau had agreed to a new conscription law, Lakewood was flooded with pashkevilim attacking Rabbi Hirsch — some even labeling him “Tamei.”

I seriously doubt this law will hold up in the Supreme Court. Still, it’s becoming clear that the “Gedoilim” are beginning to bend under pressure. Israel’s broader population is growing increasingly frustrated with the Charedi community’s refusal to serve in the IDF while continuing to receive full state benefits.

The chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Boaz Bismuth, has circulated  the updated draft of the Conscription Law ahead of discussions set to begin next week.

Recruitment Targets

The law sets gradual recruitment targets:

    •    First year (until June 30, 2026): 8,160 recruits

    •    Second year: 6,840

    •    Third year: 7,920

    •    Fourth year: 8,500

    •    From the fifth year onward: 50% of each annual draft cohort of graduates from the ultra-Orthodox education system.

The first year is defined as a fixed period until June 30, 2026, regardless of when the law is approved, meaning the next target will apply already in about half a year.

Civil-Security Service

In a significant change from the Edelstein draft, the law allows national-civil service to be counted toward meeting the targets, but only within security-related frameworks: the Israel Police, the Prison Service, the Shin Bet, and the Mossad. Service in other civilian bodies will not be recognized.

Definition of “Haredi”

For the purpose of calculating the targets, a Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) individual is defined as someone who studied for at least two years in a Haredi educational institution between the ages of 14 and 18. This definition includes dropouts who left the system at age 16.

Personal Sanctions

Personal sanctions will take immediate effect upon approval of the law and will apply to anyone who does not enlist and does not receive an exemption or deferment of service. Sanctions include:

    •    A ban on issuing a driver’s license until age 23 (only for those who have not yet obtained one)

    •    A ban on leaving the country until age 23

    •    Revocation of academic scholarships

    •    Revocation of income-tax credit points

    •    Ineligibility for positions designated for fair representation in the civil service

An exemptions committee will be established, headed by a reserve lieutenant colonel from the IDF Manpower Directorate, with the participation of a major and a representative of the Yeshiva Council, empowered to grant exemptions from sanctions in special cases.

Institutional Sanctions

If targets are not met, gradual institutional sanctions will take effect. In the first year, meeting 75% of the target is required to avoid sanctions; in the second and third years—80%; and from the fourth year—90%.

Sanctions include:

    •    Liability for full National Insurance (Bituach Leumi) payments even without income

    •    Revocation of public-transportation benefits

    •    Loss of eligibility for discounted housing programs and daycare subsidies (first year)

    •    Revocation of financial assistance for purchasing a home (second year)

    •    Revocation of the purchase-tax exemption (third year)

Additionally, government support for yeshivas for students who have received a service deferment order will be reduced in proportion to the shortfall in meeting the target.

Major Changes from the Edelstein Draft

The law eliminates the requirement for a minimum number of combat soldiers, removes the fingerprint-collection mechanism in yeshivas, keeps the exemption age at 26, and allows counting civil-security service. The IDF Chief Rabbi on the supervisory committee is replaced by a lieutenant colonel from the Manpower Directorate, and a representative of the Yeshiva Council is added.

Validity of the Law

The law will not be automatically canceled in the event of failure to meet the targets. Only after three consecutive years in which less than 85% of the annual target is met will a committee be formed to examine the reasons and submit proposals for amendments. After four consecutive years of failure, the Minister of Defense will be required to establish additional tools and incentives.