War Within the Haredi Community

War Within the Haredi Community: Religious Booklet Attacks Recruitment Tracks; Exemption Law Ignites Coalition Crisis

By : Shilo Fried - Yedioth Ahronoth

"All military frameworks are void and harmful." This quote from Rabbi Lando is featured on the front page of an anti-conscription booklet issued by the "Ezrim VeMaginam" organization. The group operates on behalf of the Lithuanian "Degel HaTorah" faction, which is simultaneously promoting a draft exemption law in the Knesset.

The booklet is presented as a "professional investigation exposing military tracks infiltrating the Torah world under the guise of 'Kodkod,' 'Ma'alot Tzur,' and similar programs"—recruitment tracks specifically designed for Haredi Jews.

It primarily targets tracks that accept married Haredim to learn a profession and serve without uniforms under rabbinical supervision in a segregated environment. Despite these adjustments and the General Staff orders establishing these tracks, the booklet expresses fierce opposition to any conscription. The cover even depicts a hammer bearing the IDF logo looming over yeshiva students.

The publication cites several prominent rabbis opposing IDF service in any form, even as their elected representatives in Haredi parties promote a bill that would grant exemptions while agreeing on a quota of yeshiva students to be drafted.

For instance, the booklet states: "There are many attempts by the army to create dedicated structures for Haredim... such as the Kodkod and Hasmonean units. However, those serving, even within these structures, face grave doubts regarding whether they will remain Haredi." It further explains that recruits become "property of the IDF" and claims that those joining specific tracks may be transferred to other units.

Regarding the "Kodkod" track, a chapter heading warns of a "Conspiracy," stating: "The declared goal of the founders and directors of Kodkod is to damage the depths of the Torah world. Every Jew who understands the importance of these matters realizes this is a horrific development that may entrap many members of Haredi Judaism."

Haredim expect the bill prepared by the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Boaz Bismuth, to be put to a committee vote this week before its second and third readings in the Knesset plenum. The coalition expects the law to pass and hopes that most opponents within Likud and Religious Zionism will reconsider and support it.

Last week, a bill to split the Arrangements Law was scheduled, but the Lithuanian party informed Likud of its opposition in protest of not receiving updates regarding talks with the Knesset Legal Advisor. This lack of progress complicates passing the exemption bill in its current form. The vote was postponed to today, with attempts made yesterday to bridge gaps, ease tensions with the Haredi parties, and resolve the coalition crisis.