New Haredi political party advocates for IDF conscription

A new ultra-Orthodox political party, The Haredi Public, is seeking to bridge social divides in Israel by promoting integration into wider society. Led by rabbinic committee chair Yehoshua Pfeffer, the party advocates for the introduction of secular studies in K–12 schools and the normalization of employment for Haredi men.

A central pillar of the party’s platform is the conscription of Haredi men into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for those who are not full-time yeshiva students. This stance comes after Israel’s High Court struck down long-standing military exemptions for Haredi students in 2024, a move that has led to widespread refusal to serve and remains a major political flashpoint heading into the October 27 elections.

Polling indicates the issue is highly significant to the electorate. An Israel Democracy Institute poll ranked Haredi conscription as the third most influential issue for voters, following foreign affairs/security and the economy. Additionally, a survey by Hiddush: Freedom of Religion for Israel found that 66% of Jewish Israelis favor a post-election government that either excludes Haredi parties or rejects their demands for military exemptions and large subsidies.