They have managed to avoid service for decades. And now, the Ultra-Orthodox men will be serving just like other Israeli citizens.
In a significant legal ruling, Israel’s Supreme Court has decreed that ultra-Orthodox men are subject to the same compulsory military service as other Israeli citizens. This decision, rendered unanimously, strikes down previous exemptions that allowed these men to avoid military duty due to their religious studies.
In his speech to approximately 35,000 ultra-Orthodox Jews in the United States, Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch explains that while Zionists have always been against everything Jewish, now they are actually fighting against and threatening the yeshiva and Jewish education. His… pic.twitter.com/HICYnBUsgD
— Torah Judaism (@TorahJudaism) June 23, 2024
Historically, ultra-Orthodox Jewish men have been exempt from the draft, engaging instead in full-time religious studies. This exemption has been a source of contention among Israel’s secular population, particularly as the nation continues to engage in protracted conflicts, such as the ongoing eight-month war with Hamas in Gaza, which has resulted in substantial military casualties.
The court criticized the state for what it described as “invalid selective enforcement,” which it views as a violation of the rule of law and the principle of equality before the law. This ruling comes amidst heightened tensions and could have significant political repercussions. Ultra-Orthodox parties, which hold considerable sway within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, have expressed strong opposition to any changes to the draft system. The potential for this decision to lead to the coalition’s collapse and trigger new elections is a source of considerable uncertainty.
The Ultra-Orthodox are finally being made to do what everyone else in Israel does. pic.twitter.com/1RYyGj4vxX
— Crémieux (@cremieuxrecueil) June 25, 2024
The court’s decision highlights a fundamental societal issue: the integration of ultra-Orthodox men into wider Israeli society, including the military and the workforce. Currently, these men are educated primarily in religious seminaries, focusing on the Torah while generally avoiding secular subjects such as mathematics and science. Critics argue that this leaves them ill-prepared for either military service or civilian employment.
The reaction from the ultra-Orthodox community has been one of disappointment and concern. Cabinet minister Yitzhak Goldknopf, a leader within the ultra-Orthodox political sphere, described the ruling as “unfortunate and disappointing,” emphasizing the religious significance of the Torah to the Jewish state.
This ruling also intensifies the pressure on ultra-Orthodox lawmakers, who must now navigate the expectations of their religious leaders and their constituents’ demands against the backdrop of a legal mandate that challenges their traditional practices.
The Israeli Supreme Court ordered the government to begin conscripting ultra-Orthodox Jews into military service and to stop funding seminaries whose students evade the draft. pic.twitter.com/iAwjHAOxVJ
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 25, 2024
As for Netanyahu, his ability to manage this delicate situation remains to be seen. While he has tried to comply with the court’s directives, he also needs to maintain his political coalition, which is already under strain. This balancing act is complicated by ongoing military engagements and the pressure to address the manpower needs of the Israeli Defense Forces amid increasing regional tensions.
Major Points
- Israel’s Supreme Court unanimously ruled that ultra-Orthodox men are subject to compulsory military service, ending their historical draft exemptions.
- The decision addresses issues of equality and law enforcement, criticizing the state for selectively exempting these men based on religious studies.
- Ultra-Orthodox political parties, significant in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, strongly oppose the change, risking political instability and potential elections.
- The ruling underscores societal challenges in integrating ultra-Orthodox men into broader Israeli civic and military life, given their specialized religious education.
- The future political maneuvering of Netanyahu remains uncertain as he balances court compliance with coalition pressures amidst ongoing regional conflicts.
RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
