After more than a year of the ongoing Gaza war, the Israeli army’s reservists are facing exhaustion and recruitment struggles. With 300,000 reservists called up since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, the army is now finding it challenging to recruit new soldiers as it opens a new front in Lebanon. The ongoing multi-front war against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon has taken a toll on the reservists, with extended periods of duty leading to complaints about the inability to resume normal lives for up to six months.
The issue of drafting ultra-Orthodox Jews, who are historically exempted from military service if they dedicate themselves to the study of sacred Jewish texts, has been a contentious topic. In June, Israel’s Supreme Court ruled that yeshiva students should be drafted after the government failed to provide a legal framework for the exemption. This decision has led to a debate among ultra-Orthodox political parties in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, with calls for a framework before a vote on the budget at the end of the year.
The ongoing war has also sparked a call from 2,000 wives of reservists from the religious Zionist movement to “lighten the load” for those who serve. Despite the challenges, many reservists continue to serve with honor and dedication, recognizing the critical need for soldiers amid the ongoing conflict. David Zenou, a 52-year-old rabbi and grandfather, emphasized the importance of serving the country in times of war, despite the sacrifices required.
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