Opposition as Israel’s government urges ultra-Orthodox men to work

ISRAEL’S new government is looking to take advantage of a rare political opportunity to push more ultraOrthodox Jewish men into the workforce to boost the economy, a measure that could pit powerful religious leaders against politicians.

By 2065, Israel’s “haredi” community is expected to make up 32% of Israel’s population, up from 12% now, according to official estimates.

Only about 50% of ultra-Orthodox men work. The other half study religious texts in seminaries, and the Bank of Israel and economic leaders have warned of long-term strains on the budget if they are not integrated into the workforce.

“Raising the employment and labour productivity rates of the ultra-Orthodox population, especially men, are issues of strategic importance to per capita GDP, labour productivity, and reducing income disparities between the ultra-Orthodox and the rest of society,” The Bank of Israel said.

But for much of the last 12 years, two ultra-Orthodox parties provided support to former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition, effectively preventing any change.

Now no ultra-Orthodox parties are in government, and Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman is a determined secularist. Haredi men, says Lieberman, should “earn a decent living that is not based on allowances and handouts”.

He has already fired his first shot – a plan that would require both parents being employed to receive state subsidies for child day care.

Haredi politicians have roundly attacked the proposals. Moshe Gafni, head of the United Torah Judaism party, called Lieberman “evil”.

Many ultra-Orthodox families are large, and are often supported by women, of which 78% hold jobs.

The Haredi community and some analysts have urged the government to not enact policies that may ultimately backfire and force women out of the workforce at the expense of men.

Eitan Regev, deputy chief executive of the Haredi Institute for Public Affairs, sees poor pay as an obstacle to rapid integration – many ultraOrthodox men cannot command high salaries as they never studied English, maths and science.

State support for the Haredim and exemptions from military service have long been an irritant to many Israelis.