IDF Chief Warns Netanyahu and Minister Katz Against Draft Exemption Law for Yeshiva Students

On March 18, 2026, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz expressing serious concerns about the recently approved draft exemption law for yeshiva students, known as the "Freeze on Drafting Yeshiva Students". The law, passed yesterday by the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and scheduled for a second and third reading today, proposes a special arrangement to suspend the military draft for yeshiva students who study Torah at least 45 hours weekly, with at least 40 hours in a kollelim setting, excluding official vacation periods determined by the Defense Minister.

The Defense Minister is tasked with defining the list of recognized yeshivas eligible for this exemption, setting criteria through regulations, and has the authority, with committee approval, to remove yeshivas from the list. To ensure compliance, the Defense Minister may appoint inspectors and utilize oversight mechanisms from the Ministry of Education, including experienced field auditors.

Lieutenant General Zamir warned that the law would cause significant damage to the legitimacy and trust of IDF personnel, highlighting the negative impact on the military's cohesion and morale. This warning comes amid ongoing efforts to balance the importance of Torah study with national service obligations.

The letter was sent following the IDF's recent operational success, including the capture of the Bofor Ridge and destruction of underground enemy infrastructure by the 36th Division, underscoring the military's continued commitment to security despite internal challenges.