Internet Ban Cited As Key Factor In Low Recruitment Of Haredim To ISIS

Defense officials declined to comment until they have read the report.

Bnei Brak, January 24 – Analysts examining recruitment patterns among those who join the Islamic State have determined that the lack of Ultra-Orthodox Jews in the ranks of the militant organization apparently stems from the community’s avoidance of the internet, where the bulk of Daesh’s recruitment efforts are focused.

A report by the National Organization for Defense Utility and Heuristics (NO DUH) found that in contrast to populations elsewhere in the world with unfettered access to the online realm, Haredi Jews tend to shy away from the internet, and are therefore not exposed to the sermons and other promotional materials the Islamic State uses to attract foreign fighters. That factor, they note, explains the apparent absence of Ultra-Orthodox Jews in Daesh ranks.

The NO DUH report was submitted to the Ministry of Defense this morning. Lead author Al Hutti told reporters that other ministries will also receive copies, as the contents of the NO DUH research have implications for policy beyond the mere disposition and procurement of military assets.

“The ministries of Religious Services, Communications, and Education will certainly have a use for this information,” he asserted. “It undermines a number of common assumptions regarding Haredi society in Israel, chief among which is that integration of the Haredim into the rest of society is unequivocally a positive development. The NO DUH report sounds a cautionary note, pointing to indications that the maintenance of an isolated Ultra-Orthodox polity, at least in terms of computers and the internet, has so far had an important impact in minimizing, perhaps even preventing entirely, the recruitment of Haredi Jews by ISIS.”

Minister of Edcuation Naftali Bennett anticipates important policy changes as result of the report. “We will read and study this analysis,” he promised. “As it is the Haredi educational system is already separate from the parallel public systems, both religious and secular, under the ministry’s aegis. Sweeping change is unlikely from the perspective of this office, but I expect some important lessons in terms of curriculum for non-Haredi members of society, perhaps to temper expectations that Haredim should integrate.”

Defense officials declined to comment until they have read the report. “We will discuss this when we have become familiar with the NO DUH analysis,” stated Minister of Defense Avigdor Liberman. “From what has been reported in the media, this may have an impact on the way we think of the universal draft, but it would be wiser to withhold real treatment of this issue until we study the report in depth.”

Liberman added that he needed to discuss the analysis with Haredi leaders, but they had yet to respond to his e-mails requesting a meeting.

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