Crisis Looms: Ultra-Orthodox Conscription Divides Israeli Coalition
Potential collapse of Netanyahu's administration due to draft obligations controversy
Jerusalem - The Israeli government's stability hangs in the balance due to a divisive debate over military conscription for ultra-Orthodox men. As compromise negotiations falter, leading rabbis from the United Torah Judaism party have declared their intention to abandon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing religious ruling coalition.
TIME'S UP? Whether a last-minute agreement can be struck remains uncertain. Multiple opposition parties are preparing to initiate a motion to dissolve the parliament next week.
The government presently holds a slim majority of 68 out of 120 seats in the parliament. The United Torah Judaith party possesses seven seats. Should Netanyahu's government lose the backing of another ultra-Orthodox party, Shas, which boasts eleven seats, it would lose its majority.
According to recent polls, Netanyahu's political adversaries could secure a majority in the event of fresh elections. Regular elections are slated for October next year.
Ultra-Orthodox Jews and the Military: A Conflict of Beliefs
For decades, ultra-Orthodox men have been exempt from military conscription in Israel. However, this exemption expired last year, and the Israeli government neglected to pass a new law to extend this exception for the ultra-Orthodox. In the summer of 2024, the Supreme Court ultimately ruled that ultra-Orthodox men must enlist in the military.
Many ultra-Orthodox Jews regard military service as a threat to their religious lifestyle, specifically the mixed-gender nature of service.
Yet, the army has sounded an alarm about a dearth of combat soldiers due to the prolonged conflict against the Islamic Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Many Israelis find it unfair that ultra-Orthodox Jews are exempted from military service and life-threatening combat operations.
What's at Stake?
- IDF Conscription Orders: The IDF is planning to issue over 54,000 conscription orders to ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students in July, with stricter enforcement measures for those evading service[6].
- High Court Ruling: In June 2024, the Court declared that the state must conscript ultra-Orthodox men, as their legal exemption had expired[7][8].
- Response from Ultra-Orthodox Community: The ultra-Orthodox community, linked to parties like United Torah Judaism (UTJ) and Shas, vehemently opposes the conscription, threatening to bring down the government if exemptions are not restored[7][8].
What's at Stake for the Israeli Government Coalition?
- Coalition Crisis: The government's ultra-Orthodox parties are nonsupportive of conscription, putting Netanyahu's coalition on the verge of collapse. The opposition's resistance could trigger early elections if the government fails to appease their demands[9][10].
- Public Opinion: A substantial portion of the Israeli public, including 68% of Israelis and 75% of non-Haredi Jews, oppose legislative exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men from military service, further complicating Netanyahu's position[11].
- Government Negotiations: The government is engaged in negotiations with ultra-Orthodox parties to resolve the issue, but the talks are under increased pressure due to the impending conscription orders and enforcement measures[12].
In summary, the conscription dispute has become a pressing challenge for Netanyahu's administration, with implications for its survival and the wider political landscape in Israel.
- The crisis in the Israeli government revolves around the debate over military conscription for ultra-Orthodox men, a topic that intertwines with policy-and-legislation and politics, as compromise negotiations seem to be on the verge of collapse, leading to the possibility of war-and-conflicts, as multiple opposition parties prepare to dissolve the parliament.
- The ultra-Orthodox conscription issue has significant implications for the Israeli government coalition, with the IDF planning to issue conscription orders, the High Court ruling, and the response from the ultra-Orthodox community threatening to bring down the government, particularly in light of public opinion opposing legislative exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men from military service, making negotiations complex and time-sensitive.
