Haredi draft

Shin Bet investigates haredi protests amid concerns over threats to government sites - report

The Shin Bet is investigating haredi anti-conscription protests after multiple disruptive incidents, amid concerns that future demonstrations could threaten government sites or officials.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews hold placards during a protest against conscription in Israel's military, in Jerusalem on October 30, 2025.
MK Tally Gotliv and and MK Ofir Katz attend a House committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem on, June 9, 2026.

Knesset advances bill to enshrine Torah study into Basic Law, supporting haredi draft evaders

Border Police go about coronavirus inspections in Mea Shearim, a haredi neighborhood in Jerusalem.

Grapevine: Fiscal support for the ultra-Orthodox

Shas leader MK Aryeh Deri seen during a Shas party meeting, at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on January 23, 2023.

Ministerial committee approves Torah Study bill amid coalition tensions


Bennett draws coalition line: No government with those who do not serve - interview

“The next government will be based on a ‘covenant of those who serve,’" said Bennett. "Anyone who can be with me in a tank in Gaza can be with me in the government.”

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett attends a Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in Jerusalem, on February 17, 2026.

Netanyahu, Bismuth to advance controversial haredi draft bill amid IDF manpower shortage

At the start of Operation Roaring Lion, Netanyahu announced that the draft bill would be “set aside” for the sake of national unity and would not be advanced during wartime.

Ultra orthodox Jewish reserve soldiers of the IDF's Hasmonean Brigade operate in the Gaza Strip on June 26, 2025.

Israel's government risks unity by advancing divisive laws amid ongoing war with Iran - editorial

As Israel continues to face war, the government's focus on divisive legislation is distracting from critical wartime priorities and risking further division within the country.

A man brandish Israeli flags following an Iranian strike in Givatayim, in the center of Israel on March 6, 2026.

Female IDF soldiers barred from entering base on religious grounds - report

The soldiers, some seven officers and reservists, all in uniform, were met by commanders from the ultra-Orthodox Netzach Yehuda battalion who forbade them from entering.

FEMALE IDF field intelligence collection soldiers S, D, and V in the Syrian buffer zone.

War with Iran halts haredi draft exemption law, but inequality remains - editorial

Amid escalating tensions with Iran, Netanyahu shelves the contentious haredi draft law, prioritizing the war effort and national unity over domestic divisions.

 A haredi man and an IDF soldier pray at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, November 14, 2024

Gov't approves new defense budget during war, NIS 5b. allocation to haredim, settlements

Coalition funds are part of the national budget and are determined during coalition negotiations after elections when forming a government.

Prime Minister Benjamin convenes a government cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, October 26, 2025.

Netanyahu, Smotrich to 'set aside' haredi draft law, approve billions in defense funding for war

“The costly campaign requires a special budget with the addition of tens of billions of shekels for the war effort,” Netanyahu said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R), Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

'Stealing like thieves': Opposition condemns gov't NIS 5b allocation to haredim, settlements

The government faces backlash over its decision to allocate NIS 5 billion to haredi institutions and settlements during Israel’s ongoing conflict.

 Former prime minister Naftali Bennett in Tel Aviv. August 1, 2022.

High Court: State’s haredi draft enforcement update ‘does not satisfy’ amid Iran war tensions

“In these pressing times, today’s hearing was canceled,” the court wrote. “But the need to enforce the obligation of military enlistment is steadily increasing.” 

A COURT hearing on the government’s draft of ultra-Orthodox Jews into the Israeli military at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, October 29, 2025.

Ex-PM Bennett slams Likud MKs for not opposing haredi draft bill, breaking coalition discipline

“The reservists are being abandoned because they don’t have a lobby in Likud. The mark of disgrace for abandoning IDF soldiers will be branded on every coalition member,” Bennett said.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett attends a Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in Jerusalem, February 17, 2026