Israeli Government Maintains 32-Month Military Service Amid Ultra-Orthodox Recruitment Deal

The Israeli government continues to advance legislation freezing the detention of ultra-Orthodox draft evaders without promoting their military enlistment. Despite a shortage of soldiers, it was decided to keep the regular military service duration for men at 32 months, rejecting the original plan to reduce it to 30 months. This decision follows public outrage over a proposal to extend service to 36 months, which has now been canceled as part of a political deal between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ultra-Orthodox leaders.

An official statement sent to Knesset members on Monday confirmed that, in coordination with the Defense Ministry and the IDF, a temporary provision will maintain the 32-month service period to meet urgent operational needs and prevent shortening the service. Discussions on this matter are scheduled for the upcoming Thursday. Historically, service was shortened from 32 to 30 months in July 2020, then restored to 32 months in July 2021, with plans to reduce it again in 2024.

The draft law to freeze arrests of ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers has been updated to remove the original 90-day limit on the freeze, extending it to five months until November 30. Although initially framed as a temporary measure, the law will effectively remain in place for six months due to legal provisions related to the Knesset's dissolution and election cycles. The updated legislation also includes precedents for future exemptions from military service, beyond merely halting criminal proceedings against Torah students, which are currently not enforced.

If the legislative process proceeds smoothly, discussions on objections will begin tomorrow, followed by votes for second and third readings. This ongoing political arrangement reflects the complex negotiations between Netanyahu and ultra-Orthodox parties, including leaders Moshe Gafni and Aryeh Deri, aiming to balance military manpower needs with coalition agreements.