Report: Katz tries to hide IDF comments that it can draft all eligible Haredim by 2026

Defense Minister Israel Katz is delaying the filing of the state’s response to High Court petitions on Haredi military enlistment, in order to remove comments made by the IDF regarding its ability to recruit ultra-Orthodox men, the Kan public broadcaster reports.

According to the report, Katz is trying to omit the IDF’s position that it will be able to draft Haredi males without issue by mid-2026 from the response, as it contradicts the position adopted by the government, as it seeks to pass controversial legislation on the issue.

The government, at the behest of the Haredi parties, is attempting to pass a bill that would see some increased enlistment of ultra-Orthodox men, but would broadly maintain the widescale exemption from military or national service that was struck down in a landmark ruling by the High Court of Justice back in June.

Coalition members have often insisted as a way of justifying the legislation that the IDF is not capable of absorbing the estimated 70,000 Haredi males currently eligible for service. IDF officials have disagreed, however, and reportedly said that by July 2026, there will be “no limits” on the number of Haredi males it can absorb into its ranks.