Haredi Parties Face Political Burden Over Draft Law and Economic Impact
In the 2022 elections, Haredi parties found it easy to appeal to their voters by focusing on economic grievances, such as taxes on disposable utensils and sugary drinks, which they claimed disproportionately harmed the Haredi community. United Torah Judaism and Shas ran campaigns emphasizing economic hardship and promised to fight the high cost of living. Shas leader Aryeh Deri also highlighted support for the legacy of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. After the elections, Shas promoted social initiatives like the food card program as fulfillment of campaign promises.
The Haredi parties entered the new government feeling victorious, expecting a coalition that would protect their autonomy and exemptions, particularly regarding military service. However, while economic conditions have not significantly improved, the main issue has shifted from economic hardship to the military draft law. For the Haredi community, the draft issue is framed not just as a demand for exemption but as a struggle to preserve Torah study dignity and the Jewish character of the state.
The Haredi leadership aimed to maintain the longstanding legal status granting yeshiva students exemption from military service, which also entitled them to various economic benefits. Before joining the government, the parties demanded legislation to formalize this status. However, the draft law was not passed, leading to a growing number of Haredi youths classified as draft-eligible but not enlisted.
Following a Supreme Court ruling that exemptions require legal basis, many Haredi youths lost eligibility for numerous economic benefits. These include public transportation discounts worth about 150 shekels per person, after-school care subsidies up to 1,000 shekels per family, property tax reductions around 250 shekels, rent assistance up to 1,000 shekels, and participation in discounted housing programs valued at up to half a million shekels. The failure to pass the draft law thus imposed a significant financial burden on the Haredi community, complicating their political standing and social welfare.
