(MENAFN) The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has announced that it will begin issuing draft notices to members of the ultra-Orthodox Haredi community starting Sunday. Historically exempt from military service since the establishment of the state of Israel, the Haredim were recently cleared for recruitment following a court ruling last month.

These draft notices represent the initial phase of a screening process for recruits slated for next year, as explained in a statement from the IDF. The military emphasized its commitment to recruiting individuals from all sectors of society, noting that the ultra-Orthodox community is being called to serve due to heightened operational needs and the ongoing security challenges facing Israel.

With over a million Haredim residing in the country, this community is characterized by distinct attire, including black clothing for men and head coverings for women. The Haredim are known for their religious fundamentalism and often seek to limit interactions with Israel's more secular Jewish majority.

In Israel, military service is mandatory for most citizens, with both men and women required to serve between 24 and 32 months in the IDF, typically beginning at age 18. However, an agreement made in 1948 between Israel's first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, and Haredi leaders granted members of this community exemptions from compulsory service, provided they were enrolled in religious schools, or Yeshivas.

This enrollment in Yeshivas has effectively served as a means for the Haredim to avoid military duty. The community contends that military life would interfere with their Torah studies, disrupt their lengthy prayer routines, and expose them to the opposite sex. Moreover, some members of the Haredi community hold anti-Zionist views, asserting that the state of Israel will remain illegitimate until the arrival of the messiah.

The forthcoming draft notices mark a significant shift in policy, as Israel grapples with the complexities of integrating the ultra-Orthodox population into its military framework while addressing the evolving security landscape.

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