“Israeli” Army Struggles to Recruit Haredim

By Al-Ahed News, Hebrew Media

Data from the “Israeli” army revealed that out of 3,000 draft orders issued to enemy soldiers, only 627 responded, reflecting a compliance rate of just about 20%.

The “Israeli” army has failed to recruit Haredim, with official data showing that only 627 out of 3,000 enemy soldiers who received conscription orders responded—around 20% of the total. Eighteen security service recruits were given detention orders, and 1,394 type-12 orders—which indicate refusal to cooperate or fleeing “Israel”—were issued, according to the official “Israel” Broadcasting Corporation “Kan”. Meanwhile, 962 Zionists managed to evade military service. The website also reported that only 367 [nearly 5%] of the 7,014 orders sent during the second quarter were picked up. Additionally, 446 type-12 bans and 2,473 detention orders were issued.

Data from the third quarter shows that 5,000 draft orders were issued on March 13, followed by another 4,000 on April 6, with an additional 5,000 expected to be distributed in May. According to the figures, 2,491 Zionists remain under detention orders, while only 994 of the 10,000 orders issued during the first and second quarters were answered.

Speaking this morning about the recruitment figures, “Israeli” army officials acknowledged that the numbers fell significantly short of initial expectations and the entity’s operational needs. They described the situation as “a major disappointment” due to the particularly low number of Haredi conscripts.

The army's operational needs determine the recruitment targets. For instance, the “Hashmonite Brigade” was established last year but remains largely unstaffed. Following the shortage, the recruitment target was first reduced from 280 fighters to 140, and then again to 80 as the draft date approached—with only 40 to 50 recruits expected. The brigade was intended to train Haredim fighters while allowing them to maintain their non-combatant lifestyles.

However, a Zionist security source told the website, “The brigade exists, but in reality, they couldn’t even fill one battalion,” noting that about 40 troops signed up. The source added, “Recruitment targets across the board have been lowered to more realistic numbers due to the manpower shortage”.

The same trend applies other units. The "Netzah Yehuda" unit reduced its recruitment target from 140 to 120 new recruits. The paratroopers’ target dropped from 30 to 20, while “Givati’s” dropped from 25 to 20. Similarly, "Magen Negev" reduced its target from 20 to just 15 recruits. Despite forming a new Haredi company, it was also reported that the “Israeli” army stopped recruiting Haredim into the "Border Guard Unit" for this cycle. Recruits who were initially selected for the Border Guard were informed they would be reassigned elsewhere due to the shortage of manpower.

An “Israeli” military source explained, “The army sets the goals and then modifies them just a week before enlistment, after realizing it cannot recruit Haredim as planned.” He further stated, “The recruitment response from the Haredi community has been disappointing.” The army is currently short by 12,000 soldiers in the support sector and 7,500 soldiers in active-duty forces.