Israel's military draft is evolving as exemptions for Haredi Jews face new legal challenges

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: While military service is a cornerstone of Israeli society, a significant portion of the population remains exempt. From religious commitments and medical status to the unique position of Arab citizens, the criteria for avoiding the draft are complex, often contested, and deeply intertwined with the nation's social and political fabric.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) primarily conscripts Jewish citizens, as well as Druze and Circassian men. However, the system is marked by widespread exemptions. Historically, Haredi Jews avoided service through the Torato Umanuto principle, which allowed them to defer conscription while studying at a yeshiva. This exemption, which lasted nearly eight decades, faced a landmark shift in June 2024 when the Supreme Court ruled that Haredi men were eligible for compulsory service. Despite this legal mandate, practical implementation remains stalled due to a lack of government action.

Arab citizens of Israel, who make up about 21% of the population, are exempt from the draft. This policy is not rooted in statutory law but in IDF discretionary guidelines, originating in 1948 to avoid placing them in situations where they might fight relatives. While they are not conscripted, some Bedouin Arabs choose to volunteer. Other grounds for exemption include medical or psychological issues, expatriate status, and, for Jewish women, marriage, pregnancy, or religious observance. The military has occasionally tightened oversight to prevent fraudulent claims, such as women falsely declaring religious status or individuals feigning illness.

The social consequences of avoiding service are significant. Despite legal protections like the Equal Opportunities Act, which prohibits employers from using military profiles as a hiring precondition, many job advertisements still explicitly require full military service. Public sentiment generally condemns draft evasion, and celebrities who avoided service have faced criticism. As the IDF transitions from a 'people's army' to one representing a smaller share of the population, the debate over who serves—and why—remains a central tension in Israeli life, reflecting broader questions about national identity and the obligations of citizenship.

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