Israel Katz confirms issuing of 7,000 IDF draft notices to haredi recruits

Defense Minister Israel Katz approved the distribution of 7,000 IDF draft notices to haredi (ultra-Orthadox) recruits, Israel's Defense Ministry said on Friday morning.

It added that the recruitment notices will be sent out gradually, beginning on Sunday, and based on IDF considerations.

Katz's approval came after the IDF announced on Thursday that it planned on issuing 1,000 new draft notices to eligible haredi men on Sunday as part of the 7,000 that it will issue over the next six to eight weeks.

The Defense Ministry said that the goal of the recruitment is to enable the integration of haredim into the IDF to ease the burden on conscripted soldiers and reservists while preserving the observations of the Torah world.

Katz said he intended to hold an in-depth discussion with all relevant parties in order to "promote an agreed-upon solution."

He also said that the "IDF would do everything possible to provide the haredim with a supportive framework that ensures their ability to fulfill their missions in the military while maintaining their religious lifestyle."

Gantz calls on Katz not to 'stop halfway'

MK Benny Gantz responded to Katz's approval of the decision by calling on him and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi to continue sending draft recruitment notices to all haredim and not to "stop halfway."

"I call on Defense Minister Katz and Chief of Staff Halevi to send all draft notices and not stop halfway. Anyone required to enlist must receive a notice," he wrote in an X/Twitter post. 

"We are at war. This is, first and foremost, your legal obligation, but more importantly—your moral duty," Gantz concluded.

Haredi draft complexity 

Katz's approval comes after he replaced former defense minister Yoav Gallant last week. Notably, Gallant had also approved the recruitment of haredi drafts earlier this month. 

Katz's decision also follows general opposition from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his haredi coalition partners to changes of policy other than solidifying the existing blanket exemption from military service.

Furthermore, 3,000 draft notices went out in an earlier round this past summer, which resulted in just under 300 new draftees.

Due to this low turnout, the IDF more than doubled the number of notices in this round, hoping to reach higher total numbers.

Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.