In most cases, these are students from the Sephardi yeshivas, who are in any case more integrated into the general Israeli society and feel ready for a change, although no concrete steps have been taken to have them join the IDF.
The maximum exemption age is currently set at 26, meaning that after that Haredi men can no longer get their exemption extended based on their declaration that "Torah study is my profession" under the controversial law that the High Court of Justice has asked the government to revise.
The IDF has launched an investigation after footage shows the soldier congratulating the Russian president on his "election victory," followed by "celebratory" shots.
The new measures, if enacted, would mean that Haredim who enlist would get benefits while those who do not would be financially hurt through what is called “negative incentives.” However, the details could be crucial. If the sanctions are merely in the form of smaller budgets for yeshivot, it will be very easy for ultra-Orthodox representatives to circumvent them by increasing the yeshiva funding by other means.
The prime minister spoke to Republicans via video link nearly a week after the Senate's Democratic majority leader, Chuck Schumer, gave a Senate speech branding Netanyahu an obstacle to peace and urging new elections in Israel.
It is unclear if the decision to hold the talks is a result of a new assessment on the possibility of the war being dragged out into the next school year and escalating further, or whether this is just a preparatory step to make sure Israel would be ready for any scenario.
The rationale behind the legislation currently being drafted is to make young men think twice before committing to years of not working and only studying in yeshiva. Currently, a Haredi young man begins studying in yeshiva at 18 and by 23-24 can "drag it out" for another two years until 26 before going out to work, so he has no incentive to enlist.
Up until now, women could join other undercover units in the organization, but under the revised position, prospective female recruits would be allowed to join if they meet the relevant criteria for other applicants and only if there is more than one woman who passes the threshold.
"You must be worthy of those soldiers who sacrificed their lives," Lt. Col. Dan Goldfus tells politicians.
After Gideon Sa'ar announces end of New Hope's alliance with Benny Gantz, sources assess that Netanyahu likely to give him prominent position, viewing him as "right-wing insurance" for shaky government.