The Ultra Orthodox vs. The IDF: Israel's Other Religious War
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Published 2014-10-23
Since Israel's inception, the Haredi — ultra-Orthodox adherents of Judaism —have been exempt from the country's military conscription laws. But their growing population, coupled with their high unemployment rate and dependence on state benefits, sparked outrage within the country's secular majority. After years of demanding that the Haredi share the responsibility of serving in the armed forces, the Israeli government passed an unprecedented law in March 2014 that requires Haredi men to serve in the military.
The decision resulted in major opposition from the Ultra Orthodox community, from violent protests to religious leaders demanding that no one should comply. VICE News travels to Israel to speak with hardline members and leaders of the Ultra Orthodox community as well as soldiers in the Netzah Yehuda, the IDF's Ultra Orthodox Battalion, to get their take on the government's decision.
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All Comments (21)
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9 years later and this is still as relevant as ever
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They don't want to break what's in the Torah. All of Israel is built on breaking two of the main laws in Torah (Don't steal & Don't kill).
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Whether I agree with all aspects of their viewpoint or not, I will absolutely support the hard distinction between Israel and the Jewish people, and pushing back against the perpetuation of violence by the Israeli government
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Tell Netanyahu to send his two sons to his war. He wants your sons to do battle but not his.
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Will not respect the authority of the state but will accept welfare money from it.
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"the state of Israel and Israelites are two different things"... that was some knowledge right there
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No one should be forced to fight wars on behalf of their government
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Keep exposing the Zionists
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“If I don’t steal your house someone else will”
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I swear about 90% of the people that live there wear glasses
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I’m in no way disrespecting the ultra orthodox community, but I wanted to pint out, that they are NEVER called backwards or radical by western media…….. I mean these are double standards
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These are the videos we need to share this is heartbreaking the media will never show this. Please share everyone.
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"To kill is to worship satan do not kill another soul commit no murder" every abrahmic religion is based on this vary pillar of faith to commit no voilance yet we are the one who mostly who fight among ourselves because we let hate and greed fill our hearts and minds
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If they loose their hassidic faith when going into their army maybe their faith was not that strong to begin with...
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I would love to see an update to this report, what are the numbers in that orthodox military unit now.
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No doubt about it, when the Haredim join the IDF, they see a different world. Especially when you do so when you are 18 years old, you begin questioning your former life.
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The irony of killing while praying, no religion is exempt
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It would be informative to your audience if you outlined a list of reasons as to why joining the IDF is contrary to the religious observances of the Haredim. You mention beards, studying, and their fears of people leaving the sect, but surely their are more substantial reasons.
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imagine being in the army of israel, fighting because you believe you are entitled to israel but then remember you don't even believe in judaism and god
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The boys studying looks like me pretending to study very hard so i dont have to help my mom
