The Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee recently held a classified meeting to discuss the haredi draft bill. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant highlighted the IDF’s need for an additional 10,000 soldiers and outlined plans to recruit more haredi men in the coming years.
Gallant expressed concerns about the declining manpower in the IDF and pointed out the challenges faced in passing a new draft bill. Despite promises to have a new bill ready by July, the High Court’s ruling on exempting haredim from service has added uncertainty to the process.
The government has decided to proceed with a 2022 draft bill sponsored by the previous administration, with plans to revise it to meet current military demands. FADC chairman MK Yuli Edelstein emphasized the need to update the bill to address the IDF’s evolving requirements.