Haredi students say rabbinic orders will dictate response to IDF draft

Yeshiva students told reporters this week that their response to potential IDF draft enforcement will depend entirely on their rabbis' instructions. The comments came during a massive United Torah Judaism election rally in Bnei Brak on Sunday, two days before Israel's national vote. The gathering drew tens of thousands of haredi Jews under the slogan “Gather and Stand Up for Our Lives.”

Military conscription for haredi yeshiva students is a central issue in the upcoming election. An October survey by the Israel Democracy Institute found that 72% of Jewish respondents supported legislation requiring young haredi men to enlist. Rabbi Dov Landau, a leading haredi rabbinic authority, spoke at the rally to urge supporters to defend Torah study. He stated that yeshiva students and kollel scholars have never been persecuted as heavily as they are now.

When asked how they would react if the next government stepped up enforcement, students pointed to their religious leaders. Reuven, a student at the rally, said that if his rabbi told him to leave the country, he would leave. He added that he would stay or enlist if his rabbi instructed him to do so, replying “of course” to the hypothetical scenario. Dovid, another young man at the event, said that he and others would “go through fire and water” for their rabbis. He explained that in their culture, they listen to whatever their rabbis say until the end.

Shmuel, a fellow yeshiva student, emphasized that Torah study is his highest priority. He said he would leave Israel if staying meant he could no longer continue his studies. He stated that they are not going to serve in the IDF because learning is the most important thing in the world. Chaim, another student, argued that the Jews doing Torah and mitzvot were given Israel by God. He believed that if the government enforced the draft, the community should fight it.

Avi, a young man at the event, expressed a strong desire to remain in Israel because it is his country and God will help them. However, he admitted he would comply if his rabbi instructed him to leave. Several students agreed that some young men want to enlist but refrain because their rabbis forbid it. One student speaking anonymously expressed frustration over the situation. He feared arrest at the airport over his draft status if he tried to travel abroad. He questioned why young students are targeted for draft evasion rather than the rabbis whose directives they are following.

The rally serves as a preview of the political stance the United Torah Judaism party will likely take regarding the conscription law. The party is expected to oppose measures that force yeshiva students into military service. The next government will decide on the legislative path for draft enforcement following the election.