The number of chareidim who enlisted into the IDF in 2016 reached 2,800 while the government-set goal was set at 3,200. However, IDF officials are pleased and remain encouraged as the number continues to increase annually despite this being the fourth consecutive year the quota was not met.

According to the Haaretz report, the steering committee headed by Eyal Gabbai seven years ago set quotas for chareidim induction. That number, the quota, was only 1,200 in 2011, and 2,700 back in 2015.

The Haaretz report adds in 2014 only 2,203 chareidim were inducted, representing 95.7% of the quota set. Induction in 2015 only reached 91.6% of the quota. In 2016, with 2,800 chareidim entering the IDF, only 87.5% of the quota was met.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)