As revealed this morning (Sunday) by YNET, Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the initiation of 7,000 draft orders for ultra-Orthodox recruits starting today—after first considering the possibility of lowering the number.
The previous number was determined by former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. According to the report, Katz explored the possibility of reducing the number set by his predecessor, but his efforts were blocked by legal advisors. This information was shared by sources in United Torah Judaism and Likud who were involved in discussions about Katz’s announcement.
Due to the legal objection, the new Defense Minister announced on Friday that the 7,000 draft orders would begin to be issued gradually starting today (Sunday), subject to military considerations. Simultaneously, headlines in the ultra-Orthodox press called for refusal to enlist.
In Katz’s Friday statement, it was clarified that the Defense Minister intends to engage in comprehensive discussions with all relevant parties to promote an agreed-upon solution that would enable genuine integration of the ultra-Orthodox into the IDF. His goal is to reduce the burden on regular, career, and reserve soldiers who heroically defend Israel’s security, while also preserving the Torah world, which he emphasized as essential to Israel’s identity as a nation and a state.
Katz added that the IDF would do everything necessary to provide the ultra-Orthodox with a supportive framework to ensure they can fulfill their military responsibilities while maintaining their religious lifestyle.
