IDF denies Zamir endorsed government’s law on draft exemptions for Haredi men

The IDF denies claims by Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chair MK Boaz Bismuth that Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir supports the coalition’s proposed law on ultra-Orthodox draft exemptions, saying the military chief “did not express support for any specific conscription bill.”

In a statement, the army says Zamir has instead emphasized the need for a comprehensive legislative solution to address the IDF’s “immediate and urgent needs” surrounding its manpower shortage amid expanding operational demands.

The IDF reiterates Zamir’s warning to the cabinet that mandatory service is set to drop to 30 months starting in January 2027 – a move that, combined with an increased scope of IDF missions, would place an “unreasonable burden” on reservists.

Earlier this month, Zamir said he requested that three laws “that affect the readiness of the IDF and its reserve system be advanced.”

Those include a law extending the mandatory service period to 36 months for men; a law changing how reservists are called up and for how long, given that currently the IDF relies on emergency call-up orders with various limitations; and “a relevant conscription law that will be adapted to the needs of the IDF at the present time.”

Bismuth, citing remarks Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs made at the High Court of Justice, suggested Zamir backs the bill. The coalition is pushing to advance the legislation alongside a service extension bill after the Knesset recess ends on May 10.

The legislation was made necessary by a June 2024 High Court ruling that there was no legal basis for the longstanding exemption of military-age Haredi men from military service and ordered the government to draw up a law to begin drafting them.

Critics have warned the current version of the bill is counterproductive and will enshrine exemptions for full-time Haredi yeshiva students.

The IDF has said it urgently needs 12,000 recruits, mostly in combat, because of the strain that ongoing conflicts have put on reserve forces. Some 80,000 ultra-Orthodox men aged between 18 and 24 are currently believed to be eligible for military service, but have not enlisted.