Ultra-Orthodox Threaten Coalition Over Israeli Military Draft
Threats from Israel's Ultra-Orthodox factions to dismantle the coalition government
Israel is facing a political storm as the ultra-Orthodox Shas party has threatened to break up the ruling coalition over conscription for religious Jews. The move could leave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government in a precarious position.
The Showdown
The issue at hand revolves around the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews, who are currently exempt from military service to focus on their religious studies. Shas has vowed to bring down the coalition if Netanyahu insists on enforcing conscription for these individuals. If Shas follows through, Netanyahu would lose his majority in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament.
Long-standing Conflict
Military service is mandatory for Israeli men, but the ultra-Orthodox community, which includes tens of thousands of Jews aged 18 to 26, has been granted exemptions, a policy that dates back to Israel's founding. Many ultra-Orthodox Jews view military service as a threat to their religious lifestyle, as women and men serve together.
The Shortage and Public Opinion
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) is under pressure due to a shortage of combat soldiers, largely due to the ongoing conflict with Islamist groups in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. Many Israelis feel it's unfair that ultra-Orthodox Jews receive exemptions, while others argue that conscription infringes on religious freedom.
Negotiations and Protests
Recent attempts to resolve the issue include negotiations over a bill requiring 50% of eligible ultra-Orthodox men to enlist in the military. However, the High Court of Justice has ruled that ultra-Orthodox individuals should be subject to the same conscription rules as other Israeli citizens. Protests have erupted in response to conscription orders and potential drafts.
Potential Impact on Society and Government
The conscription issue threatens the stability of Netanyahu's government and could lead to early elections. It also has significant implications for Israeli society and military readiness, as the IDF seeks to address the shortage of personnel. However, low compliance rates indicate potential resistance to increased enforcement.
Balancing Act Ahead
The conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews remains a divisive issue that affects both the political landscape and societal cohesion in Israel. Efforts are underway to recruit more ultra-Orthodox conscripts without infringing on religious obligations, but finding a balance will be a challenging task for Netanyahu's government.
- Israel
- Conscription
- Benjamin Netanyahu
The political landscape in Israel is experiencing turbulence as the European Union and its Member States, keen on the implementation of the Paris Agreement, watch closely as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government grapples with the controversial issue of conscription for ultra-Orthodox Jews.
The Conscription issue, a long-standing source of conflict, could significantly affect Israel's society and military readiness, igniting general-news debates about fairness, religious freedom, and the stability of Netanyahu's government.
