Yair Golan Criticizes Immediate Ultra-Orthodox IDF Draft as Impractical and Populist

Yair Golan, chairman of the Democratic Party, addressed the complexities of drafting the ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) community into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during the annual Mold Institute conference held about a month ago. He criticized the discourse around the issue as "cheap populism," emphasizing that immediate mass conscription of all Haredim is not feasible either practically or militarily. Golan explained that the military system cannot absorb a large influx of recruits overnight, especially considering the need for gender-segregated service conditions, making such a rapid draft unrealistic.

Golan also highlighted concerns about the educational, motivational, and physical readiness of many in the Haredi community, stating that Israel should not aim to draft a population lacking these qualities. He clarified his support for Haredi conscription but insisted it must be a gradual process, similar to the integration of Arab Israelis and Haredi women into service. He advocated for a broader reform of national service frameworks to include various civil and national service options beyond the IDF, such as emergency medical services, firefighting, police, prisons, and hospitals.

Responding to the growing number of conscription-age youth and the IDF's inability to expand proportionally, Golan called for reorganizing the entire service system to ensure everyone contributes at age 18 or 19, with or without military service. After the video of his remarks circulated, Golan reiterated on X (formerly Twitter) his firm stance for universal conscription, condemning the current government for failing on security fronts and passing laws that encourage draft evasion.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir sharply criticized Golan, labeling him an anti-Semite and racist for his comments about the Haredi community's capabilities. Ben-Gvir noted that 1,400 Haredim have already been recruited into border police, police, and national security agencies. He also announced that the Otzma Yehudit party plans to petition the Central Elections Committee to disqualify Golan from running for Knesset due to his alleged racism.