Israeli Defense Minister Advances Expanded Civil Service Program for Ultra-Orthodox Men

Following the Knesset's failure to pass a new conscription law regulating ultra-Orthodox enlistment, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and the IDF are promoting an alternative to increase the number of ultra-Orthodox men serving in civil service instead of military service. Currently, due to the absence of a formal law and based on the Attorney General's directive, only 1,000 ultra-Orthodox men can enlist annually in civil service programs exempting them from IDF service. During a visit to ZAKA's national logistics center, Katz announced efforts to raise this annual quota in coordination with the IDF and the Civil Service Administration.

This initiative aims to expand participation despite the legislative deadlock over the status and conscription obligations of yeshiva students. However, the continuation of these civil service tracks is under judicial scrutiny, with the Attorney General previously noting that these programs circumvent mandatory military service. The state must respond to the Supreme Court by July 30 to justify why the program should not be halted. Meanwhile, Katz's push to enlarge the quota could enable thousands more ultra-Orthodox men to serve in civil roles rather than in the military.