High Court Demands Explanation for Higher State Payments to Haredi Civil Service Recruits

Israel’s High Court of Justice has ordered the state to explain why Haredi men in national-civil service are paid far more than other service participants, and in some cases more than combat soldiers in the IDF. The order, issued Thursday, was largely overshadowed by major roadblocks set up that evening by extremist Haredi protesters against arrests of draft evaders.

The petition was filed by Israel Hofsheet, which presented figures showing that a married Haredi man with children serving in civil service can receive up to 4,581 shekels a month. By comparison, a married participant in the regular national service track receives 1,325 shekels monthly. IDF front-line soldiers receive 2,647 shekels a month, while infantry fighters in their third year of service receive 3,276 shekels.

The court gave the state 30 days to justify why young Haredi men who are legally required to enlist, but have not regularized their status, may enter national-civil service, a route that allows them to receive higher state payments than IDF fighters. The data also show that the gap widens as the Haredi serviceman is older and has a larger family. A single Haredi man in the security track receives an amount similar to the regular national service rate, but the difference grows sharply after marriage.

The full panel comprised justices David Mintz, Yael Wilner and Alex Stein. They ordered the state and the Knesset to explain three points: why the state allows Haredim to enter national-civil service before a law formally authorizing it as an alternative to IDF service is passed, why it funds this service for draft-age men who have not secured exemption or deferment, and why the stipends in the Haredi tracks should not be equalized with the regular national service payments. Israel Hofsheet director general Uri Keidar said the ruling sends a clear message that “there is no way to keep creating draft evasion routes for people who are obligated to enlist while regular and reserve soldiers bear a heavy, ongoing burden.”