Interior Minister Deri: IDF Doesn't Want Ultra-Orthodox Recruits

Interior Minister Aryeh Deri stated that he does not need to call on ultra-Orthodox men to enlist in the IDF, because "the army does not want them." Deri made these remarks during a faction meeting of his Shas party, which is predominantly composed of Sephardic and Mizrahi ultra-Orthodox Jews.

His comments come amid ongoing public and political debate surrounding the exemption of ultra-Orthodox men from mandatory military service. The issue is a sensitive one in Israel, where military conscription is a rite of passage for most Jewish citizens. The ultra-Orthodox community has historically been exempt from service to allow men to focus on religious study.

However, there have been increasing calls from various sectors of Israeli society, including some within the military, to integrate the ultra-Orthodox community more fully into national service, including the military. Deri's statement suggests a perceived resistance from the IDF itself to accepting these recruits, a claim that may face scrutiny.

The debate over ultra-Orthodox enlistment is a recurring political flashpoint, often impacting coalition stability and public discourse.