Ultra-Orthodox factions in Israel threaten to shatter the ruling coalition
Haredi Jews and Israel's Military Draft: A Persistent Controversy
The Israeli government is facing a significant challenge within its right-wing coalition, with the ultra-Orthodox Shas party threatening to split if Prime Minister Netanyahu continues to push for conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews. The country's military is in dire need of soldiers, especially amidst the prolonged conflict in Gaza.
If the Shas party were to leave the coalition, it would jeopardize Prime Minister Netanyahu's majority in the Knesset. The Likud party, Netanyahu's own party, is under pressure to draft more ultra-Orthodox individuals and penalize draft evasion. However, the Shas party considers this a "red line," demanding permanent exemptions for ultra-Orthodox individuals from military service.
A Longstanding Tradition at the Heart of the Controversy
Israel requires its citizens, both men and women, to serve in the military. However, an exemption has historically been granted to ultra-Orthodox Jews who focus on religious studies in yeshivas. This tradition originated from a compromise following Israel's founding in 1948, when the Haredi community agreed to support governing coalitions in exchange for preserving their unique way of life.
Over the years, this exemption has been controversial, especially during times of conflict. The number of exempted students has grown significantly as the Haredi population has expanded. Last week, the Shas party set a deadline for a resolution on this issue.
A Shortage of Combat Soldiers and Widespread Criticism
The army has been grappling with a severe shortage of combat soldiers due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Many Israelis argue that it is unfair to exempt ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service and dangerous combat missions while others support the exemption in the name of religious freedom. The debate has been reignited by recent conflicts with Islamic extremist groups in Gaza and Lebanon.
The Israeli Supreme Court ruled in summer 2024 that ultra-Orthodox men should be drafted into the military, but protests and political turbulence ensued as a result. The Shas party followed up with threats to collapse the coalition government in June 2025 unless legislation was passed to ensure permanent exemptions for its followers.
- Israel
- Conscription
- Benjamin Netanyahu
Historical Context
The ongoing Haredi exemption from military service can be traced back to the state of Israel's founding in 1948, when David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first prime minister, established governing coalitions by making a deal with the Haredi community. The arrangement allowed for the exemption of students in religious academies from mandatory military service, codified under the 1949 Defense Law. The initial group of exempted students was small, but over time, the number grew substantially as the Haredi population expanded.
Originally, the vast majority of Haredi Jews were opposed to Zionism for religious reasons, believing that only the Messiah could restore Jewish sovereignty over Israel. However, with the establishment of the state, Haredi attitudes began to diversify. Some groups became more engaged with the state, while others continued to reject government funding and military service.
The situation has intensified in recent years, with the Israeli Supreme Court repeatedly rulings that there is no legal basis for distinguishing between yeshiva students and other citizens eligible for military service. However, the issue remains a contentious one, with strong support from the Israeli public for changing the conscription law to require service from all eligible Haredim.
As Netanyahu's coalition, which relies on far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties, faces existential risks over the conscription issue, the tension between Israel's military needs and the demands of its Haredi minority continues to escalate.
The European Union, in line with its commitment to the implementation of the UN Charter and promoting human rights, has expressed concern over the persistent controversy in Israel regarding the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews, particularly in light of the military's need for more soldiers.
Politics in Israel have been dominated by the ongoing dialogue between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party and the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, with the latter threatening to split the coalition over draft exemptions for its followers, creating a potential threat to Netanyahu's majority in the Knesset.
