JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing an unprecedented challenge during his tenure, as Israel grapples with multiple crises, including the ongoing war in Gaza, a struggling economy, and his ongoing corruption trial. Amid these pressing issues, a contentious and relatively obscure problem has risen to the forefront: the military draft of young ultra-Orthodox men.
The debate centers around a long-standing arrangement that exempts many ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service, allowing them to focus on religious studies in yeshivas instead. This exemption, established nearly 80 years ago as part of a compromise by Israel’s first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, has become increasingly divisive as the ultra-Orthodox population has expanded, now comprising about 13% of Israel’s demographic. The current figure stands at approximately 66,000 ultra-Orthodox men of enlistment age in seminaries.
The issue has become especially acute given the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in nearly 870 Israeli soldier fatalities and widespread calls for increased enlistment to share the national burden. Many Israelis view military service as a civic duty; however, the ultra-Orthodox community argues that their contribution comes through prayer and study, fearing that military conscription might diminish their religious observance.
The Israeli High Court’s ruling last year mandating the drafting of ultra-Orthodox men has yet to produce significant results, with only a small number of those drafted actually enlisting. Netanyahu’s coalition relies heavily on ultra-Orthodox parties for political support, making the issue of the draft a complex balancing act for his administration. Amid criticisms from some factions within his Likud party for a more balanced approach, the coalition’s patience is wearing thin, particularly as public sentiment grows for a more equitable draft system.
Legislators are expected to convene for a preliminary vote on a proposed law that will address this draft issue. Should the bill pass with the necessary support, it will proceed through committee and eventually to a final vote. However, if it fails at any stage, this could stall legislative efforts for some time.
As the debate intensifies, the political landscape may shift drastically, especially as opposition parties see this as an opportunity to capitalize on Netanyahu’s struggles with the ultra-Orthodox community. With public calls for equitable enlistment at an all-time high, the government finds itself at a crossroads that could lead to potential new elections in the coming months.
This situation underscores the ongoing tensions between Israel’s diverse communities and represents a crucial moment for Netanyahu as he navigates these complex political waters amidst national turmoil. The hope lies in finding a compromise that respects both the traditions of the ultra-Orthodox community and the expectations of a nation under duress from external threats.