Israel's Supreme Court compels ultra-Orthodox Jews to join military duty
The issue of Ultra-Orthodox individuals avoiding mandatory military service has been a hot topic, leading to intense discussions. On April 1st, the Supreme Court rescinded the exemption due to multiple legal challenges. Netanyahu, the Prime Minister, asked for a 30-day extension, aiming to negotiate a compromise within his government, which depends on support from ultra-Orthodox parties. This court decision could potentially threaten Netanyahu's political alliance.
Following the withdrawal of the exemption, the Israeli parliament proposed a bill for a staged integration of Ultra-Orthodox individuals on June 11th. However, critics, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, argue that this bill, reportedly supported by Netanyahu, falls short of meeting the Israeli military's manpower demands.
The Supreme Court declared on Tuesday that the lack of enforced military service laws leads to significant discrimination between those who serve and those exempted. "In this challenging time of war, the unequal burden on both sides is more apparent than ever, demanding an immediate solution," the court stated.
In Israel, military service is compulsory for men and women, yet Ultra-Orthodox Jews who focus solely on religious studies in a yeshiva can escape this duty. This exemption rule, in place since Israel's establishment in 1948, has stirred unrest for years. Its suspension, particularly since the October 7 war initiation following a Hamas attack, has acquired increased urgency.
According to Israeli law, men are expected to complete a 32-month military service, while women are conscripted for a two-year term. Initially, the exemption only affected around 400 yeshiva students, but it eventually led to the exemption of 66,000 ultra-Orthodox Jews aged 18-26 from military service last year. Female members of this religious group automatically avoid military service.
About 14% of Israel's Jewish population identifies as Ultra-Orthodox, equating to nearly 1.3 million people, according to the Israeli Democracy Institute.
