It is not unusual to see Haredim entering Tel Hashomer's Tel Hashomer recruitment center in Tel Aviv. Once a year, young ultra-Orthodox people go there to file their certificate of exemption from military service, which is compulsory in Israel from the age of 18. But since October 7, the Haredim have joined the army; the war with Hamas has changed the situation, and 3000,<> of them have already signed their pledge. With their black and white clothes, their large coats, their felt hats and sometimes their papillotes (those locks of hair worn over the temples), they stand out in the middle of the khaki uniforms.
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We couldn't sit back and do nothing. You have to defend Israel and destroy the enemy," says Avi, fresh out of the recruitment center. "This time, the survival of the Jewish people is at stake," he added. Like all ultra-Orthodox, Avi studied at a yeshiva, a school where Torah and Talmud are taught, from the age of 18 to 25. "When I had...
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