IDF Reports 53% Rise in Haredi Enlistment, Nearly 4,300 Recruited in 2025

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced a significant 53% increase in Haredi enlistment, rising from 2,811 recruits in the 2024 service year to 4,298 in 2025. The 2025 service year, which runs from July to June, concluded just a month ago. These figures were presented by Brigadier General Shay Tayeb, head of the Manpower Planning and Administration Division, during a monitoring discussion with Government Legal Advisor Gali Baharav-Miara on enforcing Haredi conscription.

Historically, annual Haredi enlistment ranged between 1,700 and 1,800 until 2022. The numbers increased to 2,200 in 2023 and 2,800 in 2024, marking a nearly 2.5-fold rise compared to 2022. The 2025 recruitment figure approaches the original conscription law target of 4,800 recruits in its first year, a goal the coalition initially sought to implement.

In a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting on June 30, Tayeb had projected a 25% increase to about 3,500 recruits, making the actual surge a considerable surprise. Of those enlisted in 2025, 69% joined Haredi-specific tracks, which saw an increase of approximately 1,200 recruits compared to the previous year. Additionally, 22% were assigned to combat roles, and 58% to technological, combat-support, and various training positions, with around 20% still awaiting placement.

The data underscores IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir's strong opposition to exempting yeshiva students from arrests related to draft evasion. The IDF attributes the enlistment success to effective sanctions and arrests targeting young Haredi individuals, as well as substantial investment in dedicated Haredi service programs.