Religious Zionist Reservists Vow to Make Military Draft Equality a Key Election Issue

Following the passage of several controversial laws in Israel's 25th Knesset, including the Basic Law on Torah Study, legislation protecting ultra-Orthodox draft evaders, and the extension of regular military service to 32 months, Religious Zionist reservists are intensifying their fight for equal burden sharing. These reservists, organized in forums representing thousands of Religious Zionist soldiers, express deep disappointment and a sense of betrayal by their own political representatives, particularly those from the Religious Zionist camp who supported these laws alongside ultra-Orthodox parties.

Galad Rand, a tank commander and high-tech engineer currently serving his sixth reserve tour in Gaza, described the situation as beyond anger, calling it a betrayal of the foundational values of Torah, labor, and integration into state life. Rand criticized leaders like Bezalel Smotrich and others in the coalition for sidelining the Religious Zionist community’s concerns and accused them of trading their base’s interests for political gain. He recounted being dismissed and insulted by some politicians from his own camp, including being accused of harboring anti-Haredi sentiments.

Sharon Brik Dashen, a reservist and mother active in the "Partnership for Service" forum, emphasized that the damage goes beyond legislation to the message it sends to the ultra-Orthodox community, undermining ongoing efforts to recruit Haredim into the IDF. She rejected claims that the Basic Law on Torah Study is merely symbolic, noting that its passage has real legal and societal consequences.

Both forums announced a strategic shift from focusing solely on legislative advocacy to making military draft equality a central issue in the upcoming elections. They plan to hold political parties accountable for their support of these laws and to push for meaningful Haredi recruitment commitments. The reservists warn that failure to act now will continue to place an unfair burden on those who have served extensively over the past three years.

Key figures involved include Boaz Bismuth, chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee; Itzhak Pindrus, leader of the United Torah Judaism faction; and Bezalel Smotrich, head of the Religious Zionist party, all implicated in the legislative process that angered the reservists.