New Ultra-Orthodox Draft Plan Limits Yeshiva Students to 25% of Cohort
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
The "Am Israel" party, led by Ofer Winter, has unveiled a new plan to reform ultra-Orthodox conscription, limiting recognized yeshiva students to 25% of the cohort. The proposal links state benefits to service and includes increased pay for soldiers. The party seeks to pass legislation before the next government is formed, with the Defense Minister overseeing yeshiva oversight.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Ofer Winter's "Am Israel" party proposes limiting yeshiva students to 25% of the ultra-Orthodox conscription cohort.
- The plan ties state benefits and stipends to military, national, or recognized religious service.
- It includes increased salaries for regular soldiers and doubled pay for combat soldiers.
- The proposal calls for tailored IDF service frameworks and support for ultra-Orthodox recruits.
- Legislation is sought before the next government is sworn in, with Defense Minister oversight.
- The plan is stricter than a previous proposal by MK Boaz Bismuth.
A new plan proposed by the "Am Israel" party, led by retired Brigadier General Ofer Winter, aims to overhaul the conscription system for the ultra-Orthodox community. The proposal, detailed in Israel Hayom, seeks to link state benefits and stipends to military or national service, or recognized religious study.
A central tenet of the plan is to limit the number of yeshiva students recognized as Torah scholars to 25% of the ultra-Orthodox conscription cohort, based on security needs and the IDF's absorption capacity. The party's principle is "give and receive; don't give, don't receive," meaning the extent of benefits will be tied to contribution and service.
The plan is built on three pillars: legislation and benefits for those who serve, establishing tailored service frameworks within the IDF, and enforcement and supervision of religious institutions. Under this framework, every citizen of conscription age would be required to arrange their status through IDF service, national-civilian service, or study in a recognized and supervised religious framework.
Winter's proposal also includes increasing compensation for those who serve, with regular soldiers' salaries raised and combat soldiers' pay doubled near the end of their service. The IDF would create specialized units to accommodate the lifestyle of ultra-Orthodox recruits, supported by a system of assistance for them and their families.
The party aims to advance the necessary legislation before the next government is sworn in, to be anchored in the coalition agreement and state budget. The Defense Minister would be responsible for setting the criteria and would report semi-annually to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on the oversight of yeshivas. This plan is considered more stringent than a previous proposal by Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Boaz Bismuth, which envisioned a gradual increase in conscription targets up to half the cohort over several years.
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