Breaking: Supreme Court Says Ultra-Orthodox Men Must Serve in the Military

On Tuesday, Israel’s Supreme Court unanimously decided that ultra-Orthodox men must be drafted for military service, a move that might destabilise Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The court determined that without a law differentiating Jewish seminary students from other conscripts, the compulsory military service applies to ultra-Orthodox men just like any other citizen.

Historically, ultra-Orthodox men have been exempt from the draft, mandatory for most Jewish men and women. 

These exemptions have long fueled resentment among the secular population, a divide that has deepened during the eight-month war, as the military has mobilised tens of thousands of soldiers, stating it requires all available manpower. Over 600 soldiers have been killed.

Ultra-Orthodox parties, significant members of Netanyahu’s coalition, strongly oppose altering the exemption system. 

Ending these exemptions could lead them to leave the coalition which could collapse the government and trigger new elections.

This court decision comes at a sensitive time, with the war in Gaza stretching into its ninth month and soldier casualties increasing.

The court found the state’s “invalid selective enforcement” a serious breach of the rule of law and the principle of equality before the law, though it did not specify the number of ultra-Orthodox to be drafted.

Ultra-Orthodox men primarily attend seminaries focused on religious studies, neglecting secular subjects like math, English, or science. Critics argue they are poorly prepared for military service or the secular workforce.

This ruling is likely to intensify tensions within the coalition between those advocating for drafting more ultra-Orthodox men and those opposing it. Ultra-Orthodox lawmakers will face significant pressure from religious leaders and constituents, compelling them to decide whether remaining in the government is worthwhile.

“This can escalate tensions within the coalition,” said Shuki Friedman, vice president of the Jewish People Policy Institute, a Jerusalem think tank. He noted that the ultra-Orthodox “recognise they lack a better political alternative, but their public is questioning their effectiveness.”
Source: AP