Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir told commanders of the Haredi 'Hashmona'im' brigade that Haredi enlistment in combat and combat-support roles is increasing, and called for expanding the ground combat force by building more battalions and brigades, according to Army Radio.
On Wednesday evening, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir addressed commanders of the Haredi 'Hashmona'im' brigade, noting a rise in Haredi enlistment in both combat and combat-support roles. 'We see an increase in Haredi enlistment in the IDF — in the combat array and in the combat support array. We must increase the ground combat force, build more battalions and brigades that know how to fight, widen the circle of those serving to balance the scope of service,' Zamir said, according to Army Radio.
The remarks are the latest in a series of calls by the military leadership to address personnel shortages. The Zioneer has reported extensively on the issue: On July 5, a senior military official told N12 that the IDF has established dozens of new battalions over the past three years and requires an urgent infusion of personnel. On July 8, Zamir himself characterized the need for more soldiers as an 'operational necessity and a Zionist and moral duty.' The Attorney General told the High Court on June 30 that there is an acute security need to expand the army and widen enforcement against yeshiva students.
The Chief of Staff's specific address to the Haredi brigade comes as data shows a 43% increase in Haredi enlistment over the past year, with roughly 4,000 Haredi men enlisting, as The Zioneer reported on July 28. The Hashmona'im brigade, a dedicated Haredi unit, represents a key part of the military's efforts to integrate ultra-Orthodox soldiers into service.
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