Bereaved Families Demand Universal Draft Ahead of Elections

Seven bereaved families, who lost loved ones in the ongoing conflict, gathered at the memorial for fallen soldiers and victims of terror in Jerusalem last Thursday to call for universal conscription. Their plea, issued weeks before the upcoming elections, centers on the demand that the next government commit to tangible steps for drafting all eligible citizens. The initiative is supported by a petition signed by approximately 1,500 individuals, including prominent figures from various sectors, retired senior officers, academics, and public figures.

Efraim (Efi) Shem, father of Sgt. Maj. Yuval Shem, who fell in Gaza on December 29, 2024, articulated the families' core demand: "It is inconceivable that an entire sector in the State of Israel does not bear the burden of security service and the defense of the country, especially after the last three years and the price we have paid." He emphasized this point in his dual capacity as a bereaved father and as a father with sons currently serving, highlighting the heavy burden on combat troops and the unfairness of widespread exemptions.

They described their son as a brave and dedicated Zionist, and called for a government that makes universal service a guiding principle. Eden Daoui, sister of Sgt. Maj. Roi Daoui, who fell in Gaza on October 31, 2023, stressed the urgent need for practical measures to alleviate the burden on those currently serving, stating, "We simply cannot continue to bear this burden alone. We must all be together under this stretcher."

Zvi Sussman, father of Master Sgt. (res.) Ben Sussman, who fell in Gaza on December 3, 2023, noted a recent increase in Haredi men joining the IDF, which he found encouraging but insufficient given the long wait for mass enlistment. He urged voters to consider whether their chosen party would ensure Haredi integration into the military. David Sasson, father of Master Sgt. Elad Michael Sasson, who fell on October 7, 2023, referenced historical precedents, comparing the current situation to the time of Deborah the Prophetess, and called for Haredi men to join the national effort.

Rachel Goldberg, widow of Captain Avraham Yosef Goldberg, who fell in Southern Lebanon on October 26, 2024, presented four key messages. She challenged misconceptions about "Torah scholars," arguing that Torah study should lead to action and that all citizens must share responsibility. She criticized recent draft legislation as inadequate and called out politicians for perceived weakness against Haredi community leaders. Goldberg also stressed the IDF's need to create accommodations for Haredi soldiers to ensure their service while maintaining their lifestyle.

The families believe that military conscription is a primary tool for national unity and a sense of shared purpose. Eden Daoui, who continued her reserve service after her brother's death, shared how her family's tradition of service fostered a strong bond.