For a first time, there has been a reduction in chareidi enlistment into the IDF, in 2018, registering a 20% decrease as compared to the previous year. The numbers were released in a report by Aharon Rabinowitz of the daily Haaretz.
The numbers released are not official of course, showing a reduction of 20% in the number of chareidim entering into the IDF in 2018 as compared to 2017. In the report, Rabinowitz explains the official numbers are not being released for fear they will be used for political gain in light of the ongoing government crisis and the dispute surrounding the nation’s draft laws.
In fact, the enlistment numbers should be available to all, but they are not. For example, in 2014, there were 2,203 new chareidi inductees. That year, the goal had been set for 2,300 chareidi inductees. A year later, there were 2,475 chareidi inductees and in 2016, there were 2,800, and in 2017, 3,070. However, for a first time, in 2018, there was a decline to 2,480, the number seen back in 2015.
Many believe the reason for the decline is the incitement against the chareidim during this period, which distanced many chareidim from deciding to enlist.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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5 Responses
Baruch Hashem.
They treat the Chareidim in the IDF like lower class so they are opting out, naturally!
GOOD. THE ISRAELI ARMY IS NO PLACE FOR A RELIGIOUS JEW.
The State of Israel, and Jewish control of most of Jerusalem, is substantially the result of the courage and sacrifices of the members of the IDF and its predecessors, going back to at least the 1930’s. Whether or not you believe that Hashem helped them to bring about the State of Israel, you should recognize and respect the courage and sacrifice of those soldiers. They fought for all Jews, and all Jews owe them a major debt of gratitude. There were relatively few Chareidim in Eretz Yisrael before 1948. The Chareidim who migrated to the State of Israel owe respect to the Jews who made it possible for the Chareidim to live there. The Chareidim must do a better job of explaining why they should not be asked to join in the defense – the earthly defense – of the State of Israel.
a possible suggestion don’t treat them like little cannon fodder
allow them to get promoted on their own terms not the proto-feminist secularist ones