Israel’s Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled unanimously that the military must begin drafting ultra-Orthodox men for compulsory service, a landmark decision that could lead to the collapse of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition as Israel continues to wage war in Gaza.
The historic ruling effectively puts an end to a decades-old system that granted ultra-Orthodox men broad exemptions from military service while maintaining mandatory enlistment for the country’s secular Jewish majority. The arrangement, deemed discriminatory by critics, has created a deep chasm in Israel’s Jewish majority over who should shoulder the burden of protecting the country.
The court struck down a law that codified exemptions in 2017, but repeated court extensions and government delaying tactics over a replacement dragged out a resolution for years. The court ruled that in the absence of a law, Israel’s compulsory military service applies to the ultra-Orthodox like any other citizen.
Under longstanding arrangements, ultra-Orthodox men have been exempt from the draft, which is compulsory for most Jewish men and women.
Being blissfully unaware of Israel’s “culture”, could someone explain who the ultra-orthodox are and why it affects Mileikowsky?
Bibi has a coalition government as his party didn’t get enough votes on their own in the last election. He cozied up with some far right parties to make said government. A lot of those parties have a support base made up of ultra conservative (ultra-orthodox) Jews. Essentially they’re the Jewish version of evangelical Christians. They’re insular, follow the Torah to exact letter of the law, and up until this point they were exempt from conscription as they see their service to the state as study. Many in Israel hold them in contempt for not pitching in for Israel’s security. Essentially Bibi’s coalition partners may quit the government if this comes into effect which could force new elections.
Is that even possible? From what I’ve read about Judaism, the common joke seems to be ask a question to 3 rabbis and you’ll get 5 answers.
I mean the Bible is like that too and fundamentalist Christians exist no?
naturally given that the Torah is part of the Bible
Also who knows how many loopholes. Apparently the word of God is very precise and is meant to be followed to the letter, except when it’s inconvenient, in which case you hang strings between your house and your neighbors’ so you can wander the neighborhood when you’re supposed to stay home.
I appreciate that, thank you.
The other important bit is the Ultra Orthodox are, in general, the most Anti Palestinian block. They are 40% of the “settlers” in the West Bank.