IDF Chief Pushes Knesset to Bolster Ultra-Orthodox Draft as Manpower Worries Mount

In a closed session on Sunday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir urged the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee to enlist substantial numbers of haredim into the military and to approve additional legislation for expanding IDF forces.

Earlier in late March, Zamir's alert during a security cabinet discussion about the critical manpower deficit was leaked, highlighting the risk of IDF operational failure without swift action.

"I am raising 10 red flags before the IDF collapses into itself," Zamir stated at that meeting, as sources confirmed.

"The IDF stands as a national asset for all Israelis, fostering unity across society. Operational readiness and adherence to moral-ethical standards are vital for success. I remain committed to the IDF's core principles and values, refusing to let it become entangled in politics," Zamir affirmed through a knowledgeable source.

The leak triggered widespread political backlash, prompting FADC Chairman Boaz Bismuth to misrepresent Zamir's stance on haredi service or demand explanations. Zamir delayed response amid the Iran conflict but committed to addressing the committee by mid-May.

Tensions run high between the parties, fueled by leaks from the committee targeting Zamir and the IDF, alongside Bismuth's assertions that Zamir's positions diverge from government directives.

IDF insiders expressed grave concerns over the acute personnel shortfall, particularly during the protracted conflict.

IDF Calls for Additional Troops

Even during peacetime, Israel requires increased troop presence - not reductions - along the Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and West Bank borders, according to the sources.

Failure to recruit more personnel will create dangerous voids, they warned.

The absence of legislation mandating widespread haredi conscription exacerbates the manpower gap.

After the uproar from Zamir's leaked comments, IDF Chief Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin announced the need for approximately 15,000 additional soldiers, including 7,500 combat troops, by early 2027.

Zamir further advised the committee on Sunday to legislate extensions for compulsory and reserve duties.

Observers note that proactive haredi drafting post the October 7 Hamas attack might have averted this urgency.

With no advancement on haredi enlistment - unlikely under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's dependence on ultra-Orthodox allies, per experts - Zamir deems service extensions essential for the transitional period ahead.