The Chief Rabbi in Israel, Yitzhak Yosef, reiterated his rejection of mandatory military service for the ultra-Orthodox "Haredim" in the Israeli army. The leader of the Eastern Jewish community stated in a recent declaration, "Anyone who receives a conscription order should tear it up. And if he is imprisoned, the head of the rabbinical college will come to teach him in prison." The Chief Rabbi incited members of his community to defy conscription orders, urging them, "Do not go."
In a video published by the "Wynet" website, Rabbi Yosef spoke against the conscription of ultra-Orthodox individuals in the Israeli army, claiming, "It will not succeed... It is in the Torah... every Torah scholar is exempt from going to the army, even those who are unemployed and not studying." In the video, Rabbi Yosef mentioned that he had visited injured soldiers and toured a transfer base where he met with both religious and non-religious soldiers. He stated, "All the best to the army for their efforts, and we appreciate what they do... but without the Torah, where will we end up? Instead of providing more budgets for religious schools, they send recruitment orders."
Earlier, "Wynet" reported that the Israeli army would call thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews for military service as early as the following week, despite ongoing protests against the decision. They explained that "the army believes sending conscription orders will enable it to recruit the necessary numbers and that it cannot rely solely on those who wish to enlist voluntarily."
On June 25, the Supreme Court decided to compel the "Haredim" to enlist in the army, while prohibiting financial aid to religious institutions whose students refuse military service. On Tuesday evening, the "Haredim" organized a protest in Bnei Brak (central Israel), a predominantly Haredi city, to express their rejection of military service.
**Haredim in Brief:**
- The "Haredim" make up about 13% of Israel's population of approximately 9.9 million.
- The Haredim do not serve in the army, claiming they dedicate their lives to studying the Torah in religious schools and institutions to maintain the identity of the people.
- The law requires all Israelis aged 18 and over to serve in the military.
- The exemption of the "Haredim" from military service has been a contentious issue for decades, but their absence from military service amid ongoing conflict in Gaza and Israeli military losses has intensified the debate, prompting secular parties to demand the religious community participate in "bearing the burdens of war."
