Violence in Israel - Ultra-Orthodox protest against compulsory military service
In Israel, the dispute over the introduction of compulsory military service for ultra-Orthodox Jews escalates. Thousands of strictly religious men protested angrily on Sunday in Jerusalem against the court-ordered obligation to serve in the Israeli army. According to local media reports, violent clashes with the police occurred in the city in the evening. The law enforcement reportedly used mounted officers and a water cannon against agitated demonstrators.
According to police reports, stones and other objects were thrown at the officers from the ranks of the black-clad strictly religious men. Trash cans were burning. Several policemen were injured, reported "Times of Israel" in the night. Five rioters were arrested. The trigger for the enraged protests was a recent ruling by the highest court of the Jewish state, according to which ultra-Orthodox men are now required to perform military service in the army. The ruling came against the backdrop of the Gaza War and the conflict with the Hisbollah militia in Lebanon.
The demonstrators carried signs with the inscription "We will not enter the enemy's army" and "We will die instead of serving in the army." Ultra-Orthodox men view military service as a threat to their pious way of life, as women and men serve together in Israel. Men must serve regular three years, women two years of military service. For decades, ultra-Orthodox men were exempted from military service. However, this exception expired three months ago.
Israel can draft Ultra-Orthodox men into the army
The ruling of the highest court is seen as a heavy blow to the right-religious government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The issue of military service had recently become an increasingly divisive issue for his coalition. Observers see the stability of the alliance threatened because the government also relies on strictly religious partners who vehemently reject the call-up of young men from their community.
Some demonstrators attacked the car of the chairman of the ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism, as he was on his way home, according to the "Times of Israel." Demonstrators pelted the car with stones and cursed the party chairman as he passed by. The Israeli broadcaster Kan published a video on the X platform showing Ultra-Orthodox men surrounding a car. The police reportedly intervened and escorted him to safety.
Ruling could lead to government crisis
The dispute over a law that gradually conscripts more strictly religious men into military service had already led to the breakdown of the coalition government in 2018. Netanyahu's government failed to pass a law that would have cemented the easements. In response, the highest court ordered the withdrawal of state subsidies for Ultra-Orthodox men of military age who studied in religious schools.
State Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara decided at the end of March that the military is also obligated to draft religious students who have been mostly exempted from service until now. According to the court, there are approximately 63,000 men involved. Many Israelis feel it is unfair that Ultra-Orthodox men are exempted from weapons service and dangerous combat missions. However, there are also Ultra-Orthodox men who volunteer to serve. The army recently warned, due to the Gaza War, of a shortage of combat soldiers.
- Despite the controversy, Israeli women are also required to serve two years in the military.
- Military service in Israel has long been a contentious issue, especially for men in the ultra-Orthodox community, who view it as a threat to their traditional lifestyle.
- The military, particularly during times of conflict with neighbors like Lebanon, plays a critical role in the protection and security of Jerusalem and the rest of Israel.
- Some ultra-Orthodox men have chosen to bypass the compulsory military service and instead pursue careers in the police force.
- Controversy surrounding the compulsory military service for ultra-Orthodox men continues to polarize the Israeli government, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition facing potential instability.
- Despite the resistance, the Israeli government is pushing ahead with implementing compulsory military service for the ultra-Orthodox community, creating a profound shift in the country's social fabric.
