High Court Demands State Explain Higher Payments for Ultra-Orthodox Civil Service

Israel’s High Court of Justice has ordered the state to explain why ultra-Orthodox men serving in national-civilian service receive much higher stipends than other service members, including some IDF fighters. The ruling, issued Thursday, was largely overshadowed that evening by major road blockages in protests by extremist ultra-Orthodox demonstrators against arrests of draft evaders.

The petition was filed by the movement Israel Hofsheet, which presented figures showing that the gap can amount to thousands of shekels a month. A married ultra-Orthodox man with children in civilian service can receive up to 4,581 shekels monthly, while a married participant in the regular national service track gets 1,325 shekels. By comparison, IDF combat soldiers receive 2,647 shekels a month, and elite frontline fighters receive 3,276 shekels in their third year.

The court also ordered the state to justify, within 30 days, why young ultra-Orthodox men who are required to enlist and have not regularized their status are allowed to enter national-civilian service, a route that lets them receive higher state payments than soldiers. The panel consisted of justices David Mintz, Yael Willner, and Alex Stein.

According to the petition, the disparity widens as the service member is older and has a larger family. The ultra-Orthodox tracks are designed for men aged 23 and over, most of whom are already married and fathers, which makes them eligible for higher rates. The regular married track, with or without children, pays 1,325 shekels, while ultra-Orthodox married men without children receive 1,063 to 3,825 shekels, and those with children receive 1,405 to 4,581 shekels. Israel Hofsheet chief executive Ori Keidar said the order sends a clear message that the state cannot keep creating draft-dodging routes while regular soldiers and reservists bear a heavy, ongoing burden.