The Controversy over Drafting Ultra-Orthodox Men
Potential collapse of Netanyahu's administration due to compulsory military service controversy
The coalition of Israel's government hangs in the balance due to a dispute about the conscription of ultra-Orthodox men. Following failed negotiations, eminent rabbis from the United Torah Judaism party have declared their exit from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-leaning, religious ruling coalition.
Initially, it remained unclear if there'd be a last-minute agreement. Several opposition parties are planning to initiate a motion to disband the Knesset next week.
At present, the government controls a majority of 68 out of 120 seats in the Knesset. The United Torah Judaism party has seven seats, while Netanyahu's government would lose its majority if the second ultra-Orthodox party within the government, Shas, also joins the move, with its 11 seats.
According to polls, Netanyahu's political adversaries may secure a majority in forthcoming elections. Regular elections are due for October next year.
Ultra-Orthodox Jews Regard Military Service as a Threat
For years, ultra-Orthodox Israeli men have been exempt from military service. However, this exemption lapsed last year. The Israeli government failed to enact a new law preserving this unique status for the ultra-Orthodox. In the summer of 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that ultra-Orthodox men should be inducted into the military.
Many ultra-Orthodox Jews view military service as a risk to their religious lifestyle, primarily because women and men serve together.
However, the army expressed concern over a severe deficit in combat soldiers due to the extended conflict against Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Many Israelis also consider it unfair that ultra-Orthodox Jews are exempt from military duty and potentially dangerous combat ops.
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The Israeli government confronts a potential crisis over the drafting of ultra-Orthodox males, jeopardizing the country's political stability and social harmony. Get in-depth insights into the conflict, including its timeline, implications, and possible outcomes:
- Genesis: The drafting of ultra-Orthodox Jewish males into the Israeli military has been a divisive issue for years. Historically, these individuals have been exempted from military service to focus on religious studies. However, the Israeli Supreme Court has ruled against this exemption, calling for increased enforcement of conscription laws.
- Current State:
- Draft Notices: The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) intends to dispatch over 54,000 draft notices to students of yeshivas in July, as part of a broader strategy to reduce evasion of military service.
- Government Instability: The crisis threatens the stability of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. The ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, have threatened to withdraw from the coalition unless their petitions for ongoing exemptions are granted.
- Negotiations and Progress: Recent talks have made progress; there are reports of coordination between Haredi officials and a confidant of former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to explore a more lenient draft law.
- Chronology:
- Resent Protests: Recent demonstrations have seen clashes between ultra-Orthodox Jews and security forces, protesting against the conscription of men from their community.
- Ongoing Negotiations: Deliberations continue to attempt to resolve the crisis before it leads to a collapse of the government.
- Election Timeline: If the crisis precipitates a government collapse, Israel may face elections soon, potentially happening if the ultra-Orthodox parties withdraw from the coalition.
- Consequences:
- Instability: The crisis could destabilize the government, possibly initiating early elections, with potential impacts on Israel's political spectrum and leadership.
- Tensions: The issue intensifies social tensions within Israeli society.
- Legal Questions: The enforcement of conscription laws raises constitutional concerns regarding equality and the rule of law in Israel.
- Possible Endings:
- Government Demise: If negotiations elapse, the government could collapse, leading to early elections. This may result in a change in leadership or coalition dynamics.
- Constitutional Reforms: The crisis might prompt constitutional reforms or legal changes relating to military service exemptions, potentially shaping future conscription policies.
- Social and Political Transformations: The outcome could lead to alterations in societal attitudes and political affiliations among different groups.
Policy-and-legislation discussions are taking place within Israel's government due to a contentious issue surrounding the conscription of ultra-Orthodox men. The current political crisis has led to negotiations between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and eminent rabbis from the United Torah Judaication party, with potential implications for the continued stability of the country and social harmony (policy-and-legislation).
The controversial drafting of ultra-Orthodox Jewish males is causing disputes in Israeli politics, threatening the existing coalition and increasing social tensions. Difficult negotiations persist, considering ultra-Orthodox Jews view military service as a risk to their religious lifestyle, with concerns about gender separation in the armed forces (politics, general-news).
