IDF Welcomes First 50 Ultra-Orthodox Soldiers to New Haredi Brigade

In a historic step for Israel’s military, the first 50 ultra-Orthodox soldiers have been drafted into the newly established Hasmonean Brigade, the IDF’s latest effort to expand Haredi enlistment. The move comes amid a significant shortage of personnel caused by the ongoing war, with the army seeking to recruit at least 10,000 additional soldiers per year.

The issue of Haredi military service has long been a contentious one in Israel. For decades, ultra-Orthodox men have largely been exempt from serving, sparking political and societal tensions. However, the recent High Court rulings demanding an end to blanket exemptions, combined with mounting public pressure, have pushed the government and the IDF to take decisive action.

The first 50 recruits of the Hasmonean Brigade will form its first regular company, while an additional 100 older Haredi men are joining the brigade’s first reserve unit. The reservists will undergo a six-month combat training program after previously completing a basic two-week training period.

The IDF has hailed the recruitment of these 150 soldiers as a “significant milestone” in integrating the ultra-Orthodox community into military service. To facilitate this transition, the military has taken steps to accommodate religious lifestyles, including renovating the Tebetz training base in the Jordan Valley to meet the needs of Haredi troops.

According to reports, soldiers in the brigade will be allowed to wear traditional Sabbath clothing instead of uniforms on Saturdays, participate in daily prayer, and dedicate an hour to Torah study. Additionally, they will be required to use “kosher” phones, which restrict access to social media and other non-essential applications.

The Hasmonean Brigade is part of a broader IDF effort to recruit more Haredi soldiers into combat and non-combat roles. The army has already established several Haredi units, including the Netzah Yehuda Battalion in the Kfir Brigade, the Tomer Company in the Givati Brigade, and the Hetz Company in the Paratroopers Brigade. Recently, the Israeli Air Force also created a unit for ultra-Orthodox technicians, allowing them to maintain their religious way of life while serving.

Despite these efforts, mass enlistment of ultra-Orthodox men remains a challenge. Last summer, the IDF issued 3,000 draft orders to eligible Haredi men, but only 230 reported for duty. In November, the army sent out an additional 7,000 draft orders in an attempt to boost recruitment.

The reluctance stems from deep-seated concerns within the ultra-Orthodox community. Many fear that military service will lead to secularization and erode their religious traditions. However, Israelis who do serve argue that the decades-long exemption policy unfairly places the burden of national defense on the rest of the population—a sentiment that has only intensified since the October 7 attacks and the ensuing war, in which over 825 soldiers have been killed and 300,000 reservists called to duty.

To address these challenges, Defense Minister Israel Katz recently announced that a new draft law for Haredi enlistment is being formulated and will soon be presented to the Knesset. Katz has set a goal of drafting at least 50% of ultra-Orthodox men turning 18 each year within seven years. The IDF, however, has stated that it has the capacity to draft 100% of eligible Haredi men within just a year and a half.

Currently, around 70,000 Haredi men are listed as eligible for military service. As Israel continues to defend itself on multiple fronts, the debate over ultra-Orthodox enlistment is expected to remain a focal point in national discussions. The Hasmonean Brigade’s formation marks an important step in this evolving process one that could reshape the future of military service in Israel.

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