Kol Chai radio host Kobi Segal on Thursday slammed the IDF’s recruitment policy, saying that there is a major discrepancy between the army’s public statements about a manpower shortage and what is actually happening on the ground.

As the IDF steps up its arrest of Lomdei Torah, the IDF is ignoring hundreds of Charedim who are actively seeking to enlist. He explained that about 500 Chareidim have registered for a dedicated IDF framework intended for those seeking either regular service or reserve duty, yet remain without any meaningful response.

“There is an IDF project called ‘Keilim Sheluvim’ for integrating Charedim into the IDF,” he said. “About 500 Chareidim tried to enlist through it. In practice, they are simply waiting.”

He added that the pilot phase of the program was successful, but since then the registrants have received no response.

According to Segal, the IDF spokesperson responded by saying, “They registered, but it was never stated that they had been accepted.” He expressed frustration that no reasonable explanation has been provided as to why Chareidim who are actively seeking to enlist are left at home.

Segal summed up his position bluntly: “There are 500 Chareidim who want to serve, and the IDF doesn’t want them. Apparently, it suits them to have a crisis.”

It should be noted that in the wake of the October 7 massacre, many Chareidim reported that they tried joining the IDF but received no response. In addition, Chareidi reserve soldiers reported that they were not called up by the IDF throughout the war—even as IDF officials claimed that the army was short on manpower.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)