The main enlistment day for the April recruitment cycle was held on Monday, with hundreds of Haredi recruits joining combat and combat-support tracks designed for the ultra-Orthodox community. The IDF emphasized: “We will continue working to expand enlistment while respecting their religious lifestyle.”
Haredi Enlistment in the IDF – The Numbers
A total of 386 Haredi soldiers joined military service through tailored tracks.
Of them, 196 were assigned to combat roles and 167 to combat-support positions.
An additional 23 recruits are currently in the placement process.
Recruits were assigned to designated ultra-Orthodox tracks, including:
-
Netzah Yehuda Battalion – 105 combat soldiers
-
Hashmonaim Brigade – 48 combat soldiers
-
Tomer Company, Givati Brigade – 19 combat soldiers
-
Chetz Company, Paratroopers Brigade – 20 combat soldiers
-
Magen HaNegev Unit, Israeli Air Force – 4 combat soldiers
In parallel, 26 Haredi reservists joined the second phase of their training this week, with an additional 100 expected to begin next week—all within the Hashmonaim Brigade.
“Integrating the Religious Community While Preserving Their Way of Life”
The IDF noted that supplemental enlistment efforts will continue in the coming weeks, especially into the Haredi combat tracks, with numbers expected to rise. For the first time, a trend is emerging in which ultra-Orthodox men are enlisting in organized groups, including graduates of Lithuanian yeshivot and members of major Hasidic communities.
“The emphasis is on integrating members of the Haredi public while strictly maintaining their religious lifestyle and adapting service to their unique needs,” the IDF said.
The army added that integration efforts continue on multiple fronts, through both voluntary recruitment incentivesand moderate enforcement measures. Despite ongoing challenges, the IDF is seeing signs of change within parts of Haredi society—particularly among younger men seeking to balance religious life with contributing to national service.
