Israeli Defense Minister Gallant announces need for 10,000 additional troops

Israel's Army Radio broadcast Gallant's speech to the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

According to the report, Gallant stated, "We urgently need 10,000 additional soldiers. We can recruit 4,800 Ultra-Orthodox Jews (Haredim)."

On the other hand, a report by Israel's Channel 12 indicated a significant increase in the number of officers wishing to retire from their posts in the army.

While an average of 100 to 120 captains and majors retire from the Israeli army each year, it was reported that nearly 900 officers of these ranks have requested to terminate their contracts since the start of Israel's attacks on Gaza.

According to the report, the October 7 attacks are among the reasons behind this crisis within the army.

Pointing to the failures in the army's clashes with Hamas, the report noted that Israeli soldiers feel unappreciated and mentioned rhetoric from the public and some politicians that delegitimizes the military.

It was noted that the Israeli army is currently having difficulty retaining officers in their positions.

DECISION ON EXEMPTION FROM COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE

On June 25, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled unanimously that there is no legal basis for exempting Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men from compulsory military service and that those fit for service must be recruited.

The ruling stated that those who are not recruited will also be ineligible for publicly funded social welfare and educational benefits.

The decision that Haredi men must perform military service is expected to have political and social consequences.

This historically significant decision has the potential to cause new internal turmoil and fuel a cultural conflict in Israel.

Those who refuse to perform military service will no longer receive state support. The legal exemption that spared Ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service expired in March 2024.

Haredim, most of whom refuse to serve in the military for religious reasons, make up approximately 12 percent of the country's 9 million population.

News Source: AA