Last update - 00:00 03/07/2007
IDF enlists exempt Haredi youth who feigned mental illness
By Yair Ettinger, Haaretz Correspondent
In an effort to encourage ultra-Orthodox Jews to serve in the Israel Defense Forces, the army has recently enlisted religious youths who received exemptions from the military for psychiatric reasons.
IDF Human Resources Directorate head, Major General Elazar Stern, allowed five individuals, who had regretted feigning mental problems in order to dodge military service, to join the haredi Netzah Yehuda Battalion.
According to Stern's new directive, enlistment of such candidates for military service will require renewed professional approvals by private sector and army psychiatrists ensuring their mental stability.
Most military enlistment-aged haredi youths who study at yeshivas receive exemptions, but those not enrolled at religious schools often claim they are incapable of joining due to mental problems.
In recent years, a growing number of graduates of national religious yeshivas -the majority of which join combat units- have also asked for exemptions using the same practice.