Israeli Left's Shift on Haredi Draft Exposes Political Expediency

For nearly three decades, the issue of drafting Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men into the IDF has been a central political weapon for the Israeli left against right-wing governments and the Haredi public. This campaign, characterized by calls for "draft evasion" and "equal burden," involved protests, legal petitions, increased arrests, and demands for economic sanctions, portraying Haredim as beneficiaries of state rights without fulfilling obligations. Young Haredim often faced protests, arrests, and clashes with police.

However, as the political landscape shifts and Haredi parties become potential kingmakers for the next government, a significant change in rhetoric is observed. The same left-wing factions that previously insisted on Haredi conscription as a prerequisite for political partnership are now advocating for "dialogue, agreements, flexibility, and special arrangements." This shift raises questions about whether the principle of equal burden has changed or if political needs have simply dictated a new approach.

The article traces the issue back to a 1998 court ruling that necessitated legislation for Haredi draft exemptions, leading to the Tal Law in 2002. This period, according to the author, involved genuine attempts at dialogue and legislation to integrate the Haredi community, recognizing its unique characteristics and developing tailored service paths. The author, who served as an advisor to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and participated in Knesset committees on the matter, emphasizes a gradual approach aimed at increasing service numbers without disrupting the social fabric.

Despite the narrative of Haredi "draft evasion," IDF data indicates a rise in Haredi enlistment, with projections showing nearly a doubling within two years, reaching approximately 4,300 by 2025. Concurrently, MK Boaz Bismuth has promoted a phased enlistment plan aiming for around 31,000 Haredim in the IDF and national service within four years. The author questions why gradual, measurable progress is not allowed to prove itself instead of relying on coercion and conflict.

The piece argues that the left's current flexibility stems from the political necessity of forming a government without Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, leading to a "miraculous" dissipation of animosity. "Draft evasion" is now termed a "complex issue," and the demand for full conscription has transformed into active courtship. Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak is quoted suggesting the IDF cannot absorb all Haredi youth and proposing national service instead. Politicians who once demanded criminal sanctions are now reportedly offering generous terms and budgetary promises to Haredi parties.

The author criticizes the one-dimensional focus on Haredi conscription, questioning why the service of the Arab population and other exemptions are not similarly scrutinized. The article contends that the judiciary's repeated interventions, while framed as protecting equality, have hindered gradual agreements. It concludes that the left's shift from demanding a "draft evasion law" to a "soft draft law" exemplifies a cynical political maneuver, suggesting that for some, principles like equality and the rule of law are mere tools to be discarded when political expediency demands it.