Israeli Parties Divided on Military Draft and Equal Burden

With less than three weeks until the election, Israeli political parties have revealed their stances on the contentious issues of military conscription and the equal sharing of the national burden. The parties present a wide spectrum of opinions, from advocating for universal service to maintaining exemptions for certain groups.

The "Yashar" party supports mandatory service for all citizens, whether in the military, national, or civil service. They propose abolishing the current exemption system for yeshiva students and establishing a body to determine who can continue their studies and who must serve. The party also suggests sanctions for those who evade service, with Chairman Gadi Eisenkot stating the state should "endlessly honor and reward those who serve and impose severe sanctions on draft dodgers." Yashar's platform also includes extending mandatory civil service to Arab youth.

The Likud party supports drafting Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men who do not study Torah but does not endorse a blanket conscription mandate for all Haredi youth. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that "those who do not study Torah must be drafted," while also supporting continued exemptions for a quota of yeshiva students. The Likud-led coalition has advanced measures to ease the burden on eligible yeshiva students, including exemption laws and freezing arrests for those meeting specific conditions.

"Behad" party advocates for mandatory service for all citizens, without exemptions or quotas, applying to both Haredi and Arab populations. Party Chairman Naftali Bennett has declared conscription a condition for joining the government and vowed to "completely stop money for draft dodgers." Israel Beiteinu, led by Avigdor Lieberman, also supports mandatory service for all citizens, with two service tracks: military or civil. The party proposes significant sanctions for non-compliance, including the denial of benefits and barring employment in public service.

The Democratic Party, led by Yair Golan, supports drafting all citizens, including Arabs and Haredim, into military or civil service based on national needs. Golan stated that in their government, the Basic Law on Torah Study would be abolished, Haredim would be drafted, and "true equality in the burden" would be ensured. They also demand an end to public funding for those who do not serve.

United Torah Judaism opposes mandatory conscription for Haredi youth and sanctions against Torah scholars, with MK Yitzhak Goldknopf calling the situation a "chase" and blaming the Prime Minister. Shas also opposes drafting Haredim, with Chairman Aryeh Deri suggesting the army can handle those who don't study Torah, and former Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef stating that those who enlist become secular. The Joint List opposes Haredi conscription and any mandatory service, calling for an end to the occupation instead. Otzma Yehudit, led by Itamar Ben-Gvir, supports drafting non-Torah-studying Haredim but opposes coercion, while Religious Zionism, led by Bezalel Smotrich, supports drafting Haredim who do not study Torah. Ra'am has no official position on Haredi conscription but supports a tailored civil service track for Arab youth. The Reservists and Economists party supports mandatory service for all citizens, rejecting broad exemptions for yeshiva students. "Am Israel" supports mandatory service for all youth, recognizing those who truly study Torah, with Chairman Ofer Winter stating the party will not join a government without a law ending draft evasion. Blue and White supports universal service, emphasizing the centrality of IDF service in the national ethos.