Very Complex issue. In a nutshell, in order to work in Israel, you need to serve in the Army. the Israeli Army has a long history of targeting and assimilating religious Jews that goes back decades. There have been some attempts recently to make the army more religious-friendly, but there is a lot of deep -rooted mistrust that needs to be overcome. Currently, most of the Orthodox who want to work, have to do it off the books (which limits opportunities), are American immigrants (who are exempt from military service),

In contrast, Orthodox women do not have to serve in the military, and many of them do work. But the whole dynamic is not good for anyone.