Israel’s Supreme Court Rules Military Must Draft Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Men
In a groundbreaking decision, Israel’s Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that the military must begin drafting ultra-Orthodox Jewish men, a move that could potentially fracture Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
The unanimous ruling by a panel of nine judges stated that there was no legal basis for the long-standing military exemption granted to ultra-Orthodox religious students. The court emphasized that without a law specifically exempting seminarians from the draft, mandatory conscription laws must apply equally to all men of draft age, including the ultra-Orthodox minority.
The exemption for ultra-Orthodox individuals has long been a source of resentment in Israeli society, particularly as the war in Gaza has dragged on, requiring numerous reservists to serve multiple tours and resulting in the loss of hundreds of soldiers’ lives.
The court’s decision has the potential to deepen the divide between secular Jews and the ultra-Orthodox community, with the latter arguing that their religious studies are as crucial and protective as military service. The ruling also exposed the fault lines within Netanyahu’s coalition government, which relies on the support of two ultra-Orthodox parties that oppose conscription for their constituents.
While Israeli courts have previously ruled against the exemption, successive governments have failed to enact new legislation to address the issue. The expiration of the last exemption law in 2023 prompted the court to order the military to begin drafting ultra-Orthodox individuals, leading to a potential clash between the government and the religious community.
The court’s ruling also included measures to pressure the ultra-Orthodox community to comply, such as suspending government subsidies to religious schools that previously supported exempted students. This move could have significant implications for revered institutions within the ultra-Orthodox community.
The decision poses a significant challenge for Netanyahu’s coalition, as both secular members and ultra-Orthodox parties within the government have conflicting views on the issue. The potential collapse of the government could lead to new elections at a time when public support for the administration is waning.
As the military grapples with the prospect of integrating thousands of reluctant conscripts, the court’s decision has created a political dilemma that Netanyahu must urgently address. The proposed legislation by the government aims to increase the number of ultra-Orthodox conscripts while recognizing the importance of religious study, but its viability remains uncertain.
The ruling has sparked outrage among ultra-Orthodox politicians, who view military service as a threat to their religious way of life. The ongoing war in Gaza has further exacerbated tensions within Israeli society, with concerns that the conflict could escalate to other fronts and deepen divisions between secular and ultra-Orthodox Jews.
The draft issue is just one aspect of a broader cultural battle over Israel’s future, as the ultra-Orthodox community’s political influence continues to grow. The court’s decision marks a significant turning point in the longstanding debate over military conscription and religious autonomy in Israel.
