On October 8, 2023, reservist Chemi Erlanger was called to duty following a deadly attack by Hamas militants near the Gaza border. Erlanger, a 34-year-old member of Israel’s Haredi, or ultra-Orthodox Jewish, community—which traditionally receives exemption from mandatory military service—was deployed to Camp Shura where the bodies of massacre victims were brought for identification. His wife, Sapir, described the harrowing impact of his service, citing the traumatic scenes he witnessed and the loss of close comrades to suicide. Erlanger died later that year in a tragic accident when a fellow soldier, grieving and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), struck him with a vehicle.
Erlanger’s family represents a rare faction within the Haredi community: those who embrace military service despite longstanding religious exemptions. His death has galvanized his wife’s belief that all male members of the community should be conscripted, a stance that contrasts sharply with the majority view within the ultra-Orthodox population, many of whom continue to reject military involvement.
The question of Haredi conscription has emerged as a deeply divisive issue in Israel, particularly as the country prepares for elections amid ongoing conflict with Hamas, now entering its fourth year. With the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stretched thin across multiple fronts and facing sustained casualties, the demand for additional manpower has intensified. Analysts and former officials argue that exemptions granted to the Haredim have become untenable in light of Israel’s security needs.
Security analyst Jonathan Spyer described the situation as urgent, with the reserve army nearing collapse and recruitment shortfalls considered problematic. Author Amotz Asa-El noted that mainstream Israelis view the Haredi refusal to serve as unjust and harmful amidst a serious multi-front war. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has criticized current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for policies he claims enable widespread draft evasion, leading to operational hardships and increased military casualties.
Legal and political developments reflect this tension. In 2024, Israel's Supreme Court annulled the longstanding exemptions for the Haredi community, but the Knesset subsequently passed a temporary measure suspending enforcement and prosecution of draft evaders until after the election. This interim approach has generated frustration on both sides: secular Israelis demand full conscription, while ultra-Orthodox parties resist any changes to their exemption status.
Haredi political factions have warned they will refuse to join any post-election government led by Netanyahu unless their demands for broad conscription exemptions are met, presenting a significant challenge to the prime minister’s coalition-building efforts. Demographically, the Haredi population has grown rapidly, now comprising over 14 percent of Israel’s population and expected to reach 16 percent by 2033. This growth intensifies concerns over the shrinking proportion of Israeli Jewish men available for military service.
The roots of the exemption trace back to 1948, when Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion granted deferments to full-time yeshiva students on the basis that religious study was their occupation. Since then, Haredi boys have focused almost exclusively on religious education, forgoing secular studies and military service.
Within the community, many defend their exemption by emphasizing spiritual protection through prayer, while others cite social and ideological divisions from secular society. Some voices, like marketing copywriter Ushi Kahan, acknowledge sympathy for victims of violence but reject army service as incompatible with Haredi identity.
At the same time, efforts have been made to integrate Haredim into the military through specialized units and proposals to station them at non-combat posts. Advocates for conscription, such as politician Ms. Haskell, have suggested reducing welfare benefits for those who refuse to serve, demanding either army enlistment or employment.
Despite the political impasse, the conflict over Haredi conscription remains a potent symbol of broader societal rifts within Israel. As the election approaches, the debate underscores how intertwined issues of security, religion, and identity continue to shape Israel’s internal landscape. Sapir Erlanger’s plea reflects a wider call from sections of Israeli society for unity in the face of ongoing threats, even as deep divisions persist.