The Israeli military yesterday issued draft notices to 1.000 members of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in an effort to bolster its ranks, a move that could further inflame tensions between religious and secular Israelis.
Last month, the Supreme Court ruled last month that the defense ministry could no longer grant blanket exemptions to Jewish seminary students from the conscript military. This arrangement had been in place since Israel’s founding in 1948 when the number of ultra-Orthodox Jews, or Haredi, was much smaller.
Two religious parties in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government have opposed this policy change, putting significant pressure on the right-wing coalition as the conflict in Gaza continues.
Leaders of the rapidly growing ultra-Orthodox community argue that forcing seminary students to serve alongside secular Israelis, including women, threatens their religious identity. Some rabbis have even urged community members to burn their draft notices.
However, not all Haredim reject military service. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have established several units specifically for the ultra-Orthodox. A number of new recruits from these communities, who had not sought exemptions, reported for duty yesterday, hoping for a compromise.
“If you want to recruit Haredis, first learn what needs to be done to recruit Haredis. Don’t do it by force,” said Netsach Cohen, 19, before entering a recruitment base.
Others from more religiously inclined communities stated they would never agree to military service.
“Those who do not understand the value of learning cannot understand why Haredis do not want to be drafted,” said David Mizrahi, a 22-year-old yeshiva student from Jerusalem.
He believes that forcing this issue will worsen the conflict.
Following the initial round of notices, further notifications are expected to be sent in the coming weeks to a total of 3.000 ultra-Orthodox recruits.
The government is still trying to pass a military service law that could potentially create a limited compromise and resolve this issue before it threatens the stability of the coalition.
However, with Israeli troops still engaged in Gaza more than nine months after the October 7th Hamas-led attack on Israel and the growing threat of war in Lebanon, pressure from the military and secular Israelis to expand conscription has surged.
Israelis are legally required to serve in the military from the age of 18 for 24-32 months. Members of Israel’s 21% Arab minority are mostly exempt, although some do serve in the military, N1 writes.
E.Dz.
