Finance Ministry warns enlisting Haredim to IDF will damage efforts to integrate them into workforce

The Finance Ministry warns that enlisting working ultra-Orthodox men into the army will damage efforts to integrate this group of the population into the labor market.

In a report on the economic impact of recruiting ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi, men to the IDF, the Finance Ministry says that the focus on enlisting the working ultra-Orthodox male population would likely negatively impact their integration into the employment market in the future in light of the fear of entering the pool of those designated for recruitment.

Instead, the Finance Ministry urges the IDF to create clear and transparent criteria for recruiting ultra-Orthodox young men that will meet the needs of the army and will not affect their behavior.

Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry estimates that adding 1,000 ultra-Orthodox recruits to combat military service will translate into savings of 10 to 14 reserve days a year per person and will lead to annual savings of NIS 1.3 billion, according to the report.