Ultra-Orthodox draft numbers rise as Israeli Military faces recruitment shortages

Ultra-Orthodox Jews, or Haredi, enlistment in the Israeli military is rising, driven by legal moves ending their historic exemption from service.

Israeli news outlet Walla reports an increase of nearly 30 percent in recruitment compared to last year.

The rise follows a 2024 Supreme Court ruling that there was no legal basis for blanket military exemptions for eligible Haredi men, increasing pressure on the government to enforce conscription.

As the Israeli military says it needs thousands more soldiers, particularly for combat roles, after prolonged fighting increased its reliance on reservists, the army has also expanded units designed to accommodate Haredi religious requirements, including the Hasmonean Brigade, while opening more combat, intelligence and technology roles.

Still, only a tiny fraction of draft-age Haredi men actually enlist. A critical shortfall remains in front-line combat roles due to years of multi-front fighting, forcing reservists to serve dozens of additional days.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently said those who do not study Torah should enlist or “go to prison”, as his government faces pressure over exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men.

 

Over 180 Jewish figures defend Mark Ruffalo amid anti-Semitism accusations

More than 180 prominent Jewish figures, most of them from the entertainment industry, came out in strong support of Hollywood actor Mark Ruffalo on Wednesday, rejecting the accusations of anti-Semitism he has faced since opposing a controversial merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery.

Ruffalo, known for his work in Marvel’s The Hulk and Avengers franchise, had linked Paramount’s proposed $111bn acquisition of Warner Bros to Larry Ellison – cofounder of tech giant Oracle and whose family owns Paramount – and his support for Israel’s “genocide” in Gaza, together with Oracle’s work with the Israeli military.

Israel’s defense minister Katz says country prepared if Iran attacks

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz says the government is monitoring Iran and is prepared to strike if attacked during the upcoming Jewish holidays.

In remarks quoted by Yedioth Ahronoth, Katz also repeated his claim that Iran’s nuclear program was destroyed earlier this year and that it should be ensured that it cannot be rebuilt.

Read here why the Israelis will never stop threatening and/or attacking Iran.

Trump tells Israel not to worry about resumption of Iran war

US President Donald Trump tells Israeli news outlet Kan that Israel does not need to worry about a resumption of the war with Iran.

According to the report, Trump told the news agency during a phone interview that they did not need to worry because “I am the president and I will take care of it.”

Trump’s comments come after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said earlier today that they were prepared to respond “with great force” if Iran attacked them during the Jewish holiday season, which begins next week.

Netanyahu: Israel’s mission in Iran is ‘not yet finished’

Israel’s mission in Iran is “not yet finished”, Benjamin Netanyahu has said.

“All of our systems under my direction are working to overthrow this regime,” the prime minister told i24News.

He said it was his intention to collide with Iran to “bring it down”.

Israel is not believed to have been involved in recent clashes between the US and Iran.

Read in tab 3 why Netanyahu will never stop threatening and/or attacking Iran.

Israeli protesters call for an end to settler violence

Israeli protesters gathered in Jerusalem on Wednesday to condemn violence by Jewish settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Israeli officials say while violence has declined in recent months, it remains a concern because of its impact on Israel’s diplomatic standing.