Face the Facts

15,000% Growth in army exemptions for yeshiva students since 1948

Percentage of Growth of Exemptions Given to Yeshiva Students since the Founding of the State: 15,000%. Number of Yeshiva Students Who Evaded the Draft Last Year: 8,500

08/02/2012 02:08

Tags: Stipends for Yeshiva Students ·  Army Exemptions ·  Knesset commitees and Haredim ·  Ultra-Orthodox in the army ·  Tal Law ·  Uri Regev

Birkat Mordechai Yeshiva in Beitar Illit. 24.082009. Photo: Nati Shohat, Flash 90

All Time High: The number of yeshiva students who evaded military service through deferment order in 2010 reached an all-time peak of 62,500. This is compared to 57,800 in 2009 and 45,500 in 2005. These numbers refer to all yeshiva students, up to exemption age, in all class years.

Approximately 58,000 Draft Dodgers: In early 2011 the Israel Government lowered the age of exemption for yeshiva students to 28, as well as to those who have more than three children. This decision artificially decreased the number of draft deferments by yeshiva students. Although exact figures were not published, the total number of recipients who received deferments by the end of 2011 was likely around 58,000.

Nearly 15,000% More Deferments: In 1948 when David Ben Gurion granted military exemption to yeshiva students, the number of deferments stood at about 400. Since then, there has been an increase in deferments of nearly 15,000%. By comparison the number of residents of Israel grew by only about 1,200%. (It should be noted that Ben Gurion himself regretted his decision to grant these exemptions as is apparent from a 1963 letter to then Prime Minister Levi Eshkol.)

One in Eight: 13% of the conscription cohort, one in eight, are exempted for yeshiva study. One in Four, forecasted: According to forecasts by the army, if there is no dramatic change, by the year 2023, 25% of the conscription cohort will be yeshiva students claiming exemption. This is based on the statistics that over 25% of Israeli Jewish first graders study in ultra-Orthodox institutions.

8,500 Annually: The number of 18 year old ultra-Orthodox men who were not drafted in 2011 was 8,500. Of which, 7,000 were given study deferments. The number of other various exemptions was 1,500 (for instance, Yediot Achronot newspaper reported that 45% of those who are exempted on the basis of mental condition are ultra-Orthodox).

Evasion Gap: Research by Assaf Malachi of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry showed: only 11% of ultra-Orthodox men age 20-29 served in the army. This is despite new programs designed to accommodate the special needs of ultra-Orthodox recruits, such as Netzach Yehuda Battalion and the Shahar Program. Among non-ultra-Orthodox Jewish men of parallel age, around 90% served in the army.

All Time High: The number of yeshiva students who evaded military service through deferment order in 2010 reached an all-time peak of 62,500. This is compared to 57,800 in 2009 and 45,500 in 2005. These numbers refer to all yeshiva students, up to exemption age, in all class years.

1,280 ultra-Orthodox Soldiers annually: Approximately 1,280 ultra-Orthodox men joined the army in 2011. Of which 610 joined the Shahar Program (For Ultra-Orthodox Inclusion), which was designed for those aged 22 and above. 380 joined the Netzach Yehuda Battalion for younger recruits. Almost another 300 enlisted in other regular army units.

Reduction of Civil Service Participants: 1,070 yeshiva students signed on for civil service duty in 2011, which is a decrease of 50 compared to 2010 (1,120). Civil service participation did not reach its governmental target (1200). The main reason: a governmental decision to exempt yeshiva students age 28 and older from all service obligation (military and civil).

Slow growth rates: In 2011, less than 2,500 ultra-Orthodox did either military or civil service. This is compared to 2,020 in 2010. This is a moderate increase of 21% in the number of those who serve. Last year there was modest growth of 17%. This contrasts with an increase of more than one hundred percent for the years 2008 and 2009.

Data on draft evasion

One in two: 50% of all eligible recruits enlist (including men, women, Jews and Arabs, ultra-Orthodox and non-ultra-Orthodox) - 50% do not enlist.

One in three: 67% (two-thirds) of Jewish Israelis enlist (including women and men, ultra-Orthodox and non-ultra-Orthodox) - 33% do not enlist.

One in four: 75% of Israeli Jewish men enlist and 25% do not.

One in six: 16% (one-sixth of those eligible for enlistment) are ultra-Orthodox men who receive draft deferments at age 18.

One in eight: 13% (one-eighth of all eligible, or more than half of the 25% noted above) are men who are ultra-Orthodox who received draft deferments until age 21.

The percent of Israeli Jewish men who did not enlist in 2010 by the end of their eligibility (age 21) was 25%.

Of which:

• Deferment for full-time yeshiva study - 13%
• Living abroad - about 3%
• Unsuitable - 3%
• Exemption for mental health reasons - 4.5% (according to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper - 45% of the recipients of mental health exemptions are ultra-Orthodox)
• Exemption for medical reasons - 2%