Maj. (res) Yossi Levi calls for greater ultra-Orthodox enlistment, warning that increasing hostility to the religious group could widen the military draft gap.
Maj. (res.) Yossi Levi is set to become the first Haredi battalion commander in the Israel Defense Forces, a milestone in integrating ultra-Orthodox soldiers into the country’s military.
“I checked—there were no Haredi battalion commanders before me. So here we go, with God’s help,” he told Kan News in a profile that aired on Tuesday on the public broadcaster’s Channel 11.
As CEO of the Netzah Yehuda Association, Levi advocates for increased Haredi enlistment, arguing that one regular Haredi battalion could replace 12 reserve units. “It’s incredibly difficult to call up my soldiers for a third round of reserve duty,” he said.