Who are the Ultra-Orthodox Jews that Israel is trying to conscript into the military, and why are they resisting?

The Israeli Supreme Court, on June 25, unanimously ruled that there is no legal basis for exempting ultra-Orthodox Jewish men from mandatory military service and that those eligible for military service should be enlisted. Following the decision, Haredim clashed with Israeli police during a protest against mandatory military service in West Jerusalem. So who are these Haredim? Here's the answer.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews, known as Haredim in Hebrew, live in closed communities where television, the internet, and social media are non-existent. Men devote most of their time to religious studies, while women manage household chores and support their families.

THEY WERE EXEMPT FROM MANDATORY MILITARY SERVICE

They make up about 13% of Israel's population and have significant political influence. Ultra-Orthodox Jews said they dedicated themselves to Torah studies in exchange for supporting the governments led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the past 16 years and were exempted from mandatory military service. This arrangement has caused a long-standing tension between secular Israeli Jews serving in the military and bearing the main tax burden and the Haredim.

Last month, as the conflict in Gaza and tensions with Hezbollah continued, the Israeli Supreme Court ended this exemption, leading to thousands of Haredi Jews taking to the streets. Experts say that this decision also threatens the stability of the government due to the threat of coalition parties such as Shas and United Torah Judaism withdrawing their support.

THEY ARE RECOGNIZED BY THEIR DISTINCTIVE CLOTHING

Haredim, as former Israeli President Reuven Rivlin described them, are one of the "four tribes of modern Israel." Alongside Haredim, this group includes secularists, religious nationalists, and Israeli Arabs. They are recognized by their distinctive clothing; Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men typically wear black suits. They have long side curls, long beards, and wide-brimmed hats. Their women are also easily distinguished by wearing long skirts, thick stockings, headscarves, or wigs.

THEY DEVOTE THEMSELVES ENTIRELY TO THE TORAH

Unlike modern Orthodox Jews who balance religious practices with secular careers, Haredim devote themselves entirely to the Torah and traditional rituals. According to Professor Naomi Seidman at the University of Toronto's Centre for Diaspora Studies, Orthodox Jews "primarily adhere to three fundamental elements:

"They observe Shabbat (the Jewish day of rest), eat kosher (permissible according to Jewish law), and follow the rule of 'marital purity,' which includes sleeping in separate beds and abstaining from sexual relations until immersion in a ritual bath (mikveh) after menstruation."

Seidman adds that a modern Orthodox Jew can pursue other careers such as law or policing as long as they adhere to these rules of Jewish law.

IT EMERGED IN THE 19TH CENTURY DUE TO INDUSTRIALIZATION

In the comprehensive history of Judaism, Ultra-Orthodoxy emerged relatively recently in the 19th century due to industrialization, promoting a new Jewish identity that was more integrated into society. This change caused a division among Orthodox Jews, with some rabbis and followers advocating for a stricter, more isolated, and anti-secular interpretation of Judaism.

THEIR CONTACT WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD IS MINIMAL

Haredim generally live in settlements where they have neighbors who share their worldview, and they try to minimize contact with the outside world in order to preserve their values and practices. There are also significant Ultra-Orthodox communities in the United States and the United Kingdom. However, Israel is the country with the largest population of Haredim, largely due to high birth rates. Neighborhoods such as Mea Shearim in Jerusalem and Bnei Brak near Tel Aviv are home to a significant portion of this population.

Naomi Seidman says, "They usually have large families and are among the wealthiest segments of the Jewish population, generally less affluent than secular or modern Orthodox Jews who tend to have smaller families."

MEN FOCUS ON RELIGIOUS STUDIES, FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY RESTS WITH THEIR WIVES

Each community has its own synagogues, yeshivas (religious schools), and community organizations. Respect and status in the Haredi world depend on a person's knowledge of the Torah, which ensures that important decisions such as marriage and education are consulted with rabbis. While most adult men focus entirely on religious studies, their wives take on financial responsibilities. Limited job opportunities increase their dependence on state support.

"SOME YOUNG PEOPLE USE THE INTERNET"

Despite their conservative views, a more modern generation of Haredim is emerging. According to Seidman, "They maintain the Haredi way of life and dress, but instead of limiting themselves to traditional roles like diamond trading, they want careers such as education or law and use the internet, even though they are criticized by conservatives."

Some more modern Haredim choose to join the military. The Netzah Yehuda Battalion, established exclusively for ultra-Orthodox soldiers, meets their demands for gender separation, kosher meals, prayer, and daily rituals.

OTHER ISRAELIS ARE ANGRY ABOUT THEIR EXEMPTIONS

Seidman says that the Ultra-Orthodox population has increased from 40,000 at the establishment of Israel in 1948 to over 1 million today, which has increased their political influence and self-confidence.

Other Israelis who believe that Haredim bear less of the tax and military burdens are angry. Historically apolitical, most Haredim do not engage in politics. Many oppose Zionism because they believe that the State of Israel should only be established after the arrival of the Messiah. However, only a small minority actively protest and reject Israel, occasionally staging demonstrations with Palestinian flags. The majority takes a pragmatic approach and engages in politics to protect their own interests.

Seidman notes that in recent years, coalitions in the Netanyahu government have shifted predominantly to the right, influencing policies and military strategies in Gaza, including alliances involving religious Zionist parties.

70% OF ISRAELI JEWS SUPPORT THE MILITARY SERVICE DECISION

Finally, the Supreme Court's decision to draft Haredim has increased tensions. A survey conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute shows that 70% of Israeli Jews support this change. So far, over 60,000 Haredi men registered as yeshiva students have been exempted from military service. In response, the army has been instructed to enlist an additional 3,000 people from the community, in addition to the 1,500 soldiers already serving. The number is expected to increase in the future.

Mor Shamgar, the mother of a tank commander serving in southern Israel, recently challenged the national security advisor at a conference, saying, "My son has already been on reserve duty for 200 days. How many more years do you want him to serve? Aren't you ashamed?" The reaction went viral on social media.

Contrary to common perception, Seidman says that Haredim are increasingly adapting to the public. He adds that they have expanded public service initiatives such as roadside assistance and ambulance services nationwide, hoping that these contributions will be seen as an alternative to military service.