Israeli High Court Orders Ultra-Orthodox Conscription, Threatening Netanyahu’s Coalition
By The Media Line Staff
Israel’s Supreme Court has ruled that the military must begin drafting ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students, a decision that could destabilize Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government. The ruling comes as Israel faces a multifront war in Gaza and Lebanon, heightening the demand for military manpower. For decades, ultra-Orthodox men have been exempt from mandatory military service, a point of contention for the secular public, especially as the war drags on and the military calls for more soldiers.
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara argued that the current exemption system is illegal, resulting in “invalid selective enforcement,” which violates the principle that all citizens are equal under the law. The court’s unanimous decision underscores the urgent need to address this inequality. The ultra-Orthodox community, however, views full-time religious study as their contribution to Israel’s security, fearing that military service would erode their religious observance.
Political analysts suggest this ruling could lead to a rift within Netanyahu’s coalition. Yitzhak Goldknopf, head of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party, called the ruling “very unfortunate and disappointing” but did not specify whether his party would leave the coalition. The ultra-Orthodox parties are critical to Netanyahu’s slim parliamentary majority.
The ruling also highlights the longstanding legal and societal challenges surrounding ultra-Orthodox conscription. Netanyahu has attempted to balance court rulings with coalition demands, proposing a bill to address the issue, but critics argue it does not meet the current military needs.
With an annual growth rate of about 4%, the ultra-Orthodox community is the fastest-growing segment of Israel’s population. Approximately 13,000 ultra-Orthodox males reach conscription age each year, but less than 10% enlist. This ruling may lead to significant changes in Israel’s conscription policies and the broader political landscape.
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