I never understood how they managed to avoid military service in the past. This is unheard of in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community. How dare Israel ask them to serve their nation just as everyone else does. NO ONE voted against it.
In a significant move, Israel’s Supreme Court has mandated the government to initiate the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men into the military, aiming to dismantle a longstanding exemption that has allowed them to evade compulsory service. This decision sparked protests, with groups of ultra-Orthodox men blocking a major highway in Bnei Brak as a form of demonstration against the ruling.
Why did Israel’s Supreme Court rule ultra-Orthodox men must serve in the military? pic.twitter.com/kNmcVcydXj
— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) June 28, 2024
The court’s unanimous decision challenges the traditional practices that have permitted these men to pursue religious studies instead of serving in the military, which is mandatory for most Israeli citizens. The ruling addresses long-standing issues regarding equality and duty, as the majority of Israeli citizens are required to serve in the military from a young age. Critics of the exemption system argue that it fosters societal inequality and economic disparity, as many ultra-Orthodox men continue religious studies into adulthood, often relying on state subsidies.
The government now faces the complex task of integrating potentially thousands of ultra-Orthodox recruits into the military framework, a process fraught with cultural and logistical challenges. This includes accommodating religious practices and lifestyles, which could necessitate significant changes in military life to ensure compliance with Orthodox Jewish laws and customs.
Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men have blocked a major highway in central #Israel to protest a recent Supreme Court decision ordering young religious men to enlist for military service.https://t.co/9DAZIOIQWZ
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) June 28, 2024
The reaction to the court’s ruling has been mixed. Supporters claim it promotes fairness and shared responsibility across all sectors of Israeli society. Conversely, opponents argue that compulsory military service infringes on their religious freedoms and way of life. The protests in Bnei Brak highlight the deep-seated resistance among the ultra-Orthodox community, signaling potential difficulties in implementing the court’s order.
Israel-Gaza war live: ultra-Orthodox Jews block major highway in protest against Israel’s new military service ruling
Protest is in response to a recent supreme court decision ordering young religious men to enlist for military servicehttps://t.co/71EHFUZKV3
— THX-1138 (@pinaykanu_m) June 28, 2024
The Israeli government and military must now work through these tensions carefully, balancing the need for national security with respect for religious convictions.
Key Points:
i. Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men in Bnei Brak, Israel, protested by blocking a highway in response to a new government policy.
ii. The Israeli Supreme Court has issued a unanimous decision mandating the drafting of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men into the army.
iii. This ruling aims to end the longstanding exemption that allowed these men to avoid compulsory military service.
iv. The policy change seeks to integrate ultra-Orthodox men into national service, which is mandatory for most Israeli citizens.
v. The decision has ignited significant controversy and opposition within the ultra-Orthodox community.
Al Santana – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
