[67938] IDF warns: Severe manpower shortage and spike in the number of draft dodgers
[67938] IDF warns: Severe manpower shortage and spike in the number of draft dodgers
In a discussion at the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, the IDF presented alarming data on manpower status, clarifying that despite the increase in Haredi recruitment, the gap is expected to widen.
In a dramatic discussion held today at the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, the Head of the Planning and Manpower Directorate (J1), Brig. Gen. Shay Taib, presented a concerning situation regarding the IDF's manpower status. According to Taib, as reported in Political Security Cabinet - Moriah Asraf & Doron Kadosh, the current shortage stands at approximately 12,000 soldiers, of which about 7,500 are combat troops. The army expects the gap to worsen and reach approximately 17,000 soldiers by January 2027.
In a report by News from the Field on Telegram it was noted that despite an increase in recruitment figures in the Haredi sector following sanctions, the army is preparing to absorb double the current number. According to Daphna Liel, Brig. Gen. Taib emphasized that the military establishment has not yet received a new draft of the exemption law, while the current situation leads to the fact that "we will arrive very soon at an area of 80-90 thousand draft dodgers" as quoted in Amir Ettinger & Yuval Segev.
In data presented to Hershkovitz & Grobeiss - The Haredi Angle, it emerged that today there are approximately 32,000 official draft dodgers, alongside 50,000 holders of draft orders who are not cooperating. Brig. Gen. Taib clarified in the forum that extending mandatory service, which is on the agenda, is a necessary step but does not constitute a magic solution for the shortage of combat soldiers. According to him, in the current situation, a decrease of about 10% in the scope of combat soldiers in the IDF is expected by January 2027, which will effectively translate into a decrease of about 15% in the available force structure.
In summary, the army's position is that although sanctions have led to a certain increase in Haredi recruitment, the operational gap remains urgent. Brig. Gen. Taib clarified that the next two months are "the last opportunity" to amend the legislation, but even if it passes, the need to expand the recruitment of Haredim and other populations remains.