Reservist Slams Rabbis' 'Deception Campaign' Claims on IDF Draft

Gilad Rand, a reserve tank commander who has served approximately 450 days in uniform, is frustrated by rabbis who label the struggle for the conscription of Haredim as a "deception campaign." Rand argues that the demand for equal burden-sharing is driven not by hidden forces, but by exhausted women, children paying a price, and families struggling to cope.

Rand, who has previously responded to the rabbi's factual inaccuracies, states he is tired of the narrative that portrays all actions as part of a campaign. He highlights the immense personal cost, including 100 days of reserve duty annually, women shouldering the burden of maintaining households, and children requiring psychological treatment, all dismissed as mere "campaigning."

He recounts a conversation with a rabbi who, while acknowledging Rand personally, feared "hidden forces" behind his activism. Rand responded that his motivation was an "exhausted wife and daughters" he needed to remind of his identity with each call-up. This explanation did not convince the rabbi, who continued to blame the "campaign" for hindering Haredi enlistment.

Rand criticizes the rabbi's framing of Haredi enlistment, pointing out that the definition of a Haredi individual eligible for draft requires only two years of study in a Haredi institution during high school, even though many self-identify as no longer religiously observant. He also notes the rabbi's dismissal of sanctions as ineffective, despite many Haredim expressing willingness to enlist to have them removed. Furthermore, Rand contrasts the rabbi's claims with recorded statements from prominent Haredi leaders explicitly stating that no yeshiva students will be drafted, even from institutions with high dropout rates.

Rand also details attempts to address these issues with religious Zionist politicians. He states that Smotrich refused to meet, Rotman cited preoccupation with the justice system, and Struck advised a complaining reservist to "not vote for us." He describes encountering a "wall" when presenting problems to Knesset members and rabbis, receiving only expressions of "pain" in return. He contrasts this with the visceral emotional impact of his wife's distress and the unnecessary military operations caused by frequent call-ups.

Rand criticizes Smotrich for presenting an election-focused "plan" for Haredi enlistment that lacks actionable steps and contains false information, yet is not labeled a campaign. He also questions the timing of rabbis publishing articles in newsletters ahead of elections, suggesting it is politically motivated rather than a genuine effort to engage with reservists' realities. He concludes by urging rabbis to reflect on their support for reservists, noting that while they are free to publish political halachic rulings, they should refrain from calling their activism a "campaign."