The latest draft law regarding the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel has ignited a political firestorm, threatening the stability of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition. The proposed legislation, intended to address long-standing inequities in military service, has instead been met with fierce opposition and accusations of political maneuvering. This issue is especially sensitive given the ongoing security challenges facing Israel, including the recent conflict in Gaza and the increased need for personnel in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The debate encompasses questions of religious freedom, national duty, and the very fabric of Israeli society.
The Historical Exemption & Growing Pressure
For decades, a de facto exemption from mandatory military service has been granted to ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) men who dedicate themselves to full-time religious study, known as torah study. This practice stems from a ruling established in 1948, during the early years of Israel’s independence, as a means of supporting the preservation of religious learning. However, as Israel has evolved and faced escalating security threats, this exemption has come under increasing scrutiny.
The crux of the current controversy lies in the perceived unfairness. While the majority of Israeli citizens, including Arab Israelis (with some exceptions), serve in the IDF, a significant portion of the ultra-Orthodox population does not. This disparity becomes particularly glaring during times of conflict, when the burden of defense falls disproportionately on other segments of society. The recent mobilization of tens of thousands of conscripts and reservists, even amidst a fragile truce following the Gaza war, has amplified these concerns. There is a growing demand for equal burden sharing across all sectors of Israeli society.
The New Draft Law: A Step Backwards?
Boaz Bismuth, chairman of the parliament’s foreign affairs and defence committee, presented a new draft bill this week, but it represents a considerable rollback from previous proposals. Past attempts to address the issue, like the July draft, proposed gradually increasing conscription quotas and implementing financial penalties for non-compliance. This new version significantly weakens those measures.
The proposed penalties are largely symbolic, including bans on international travel and the ability to obtain a driver’s license. Crucially, the draft also facilitates exemptions for yeshiva students, meaning those studying in religious seminaries will find it easier to avoid service.
This leniency has led to harsh criticism, with Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper branding the law as “Conscription on paper only” and denouncing it as “an obvious fraud.” Observers suggest the new bill is a calculated move by Netanyahu to appease his ultra-Orthodox coalition partners, even at the expense of addressing the national security concerns.
Political Implications and Coalition Instability
The survival of Netanyahu’s right-wing government hinges on maintaining the support of ultra-Orthodox parties. The existing coalition is fragile, holding only 60 out of 120 seats following the withdrawal of the United Torah Judaism party in July over a previous conscription proposal.
The Shas party, another key ultra-Orthodox faction, has also voiced strong opposition to mandatory conscription and is currently threatening to collapse the government if their long-held exemption promises, made during the 2022 coalition agreement, are not upheld. Ministers from Shas have already resigned from the cabinet over the issue, adding to the pressure on Netanyahu to find a resolution.
This situation illustrates the power of the ultra-Orthodox community as “kingmakers” in Israeli politics. Successive governments have been compelled to navigate these sensitive negotiations and devise temporary legislative fixes to maintain stability.
Supreme Court Ruling & Escalating Tension
Adding another layer of complexity, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled in June 2024 that the state must draft ultra-Orthodox men, declaring the existing exemption had expired. Further solidifying this position, on November 19th, the court mandated the government to present an effective proposal for conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews.
The Court’s reasoning emphasizes the “flagrant inequality” and acknowledges that this imbalance has been “worsened significantly” by the ongoing conflict in Gaza. It also highlights the IDF’s clear need for around 12,000 additional soldiers, arguing that including ultra-Orthodox conscripts can help address this security gap.
However, this ruling has been largely ignored by the current draft law, escalating tensions between the judiciary, the executive branch, and the opposition.
Opposition Response and Future Outlook
The opposition has vehemently condemned the new draft, accusing the government of prioritizing political survival over national security and equitable citizenship. Opposition leader Yair Lapid labeled the bill an “anti-Zionist disgrace” and criticized the “contemptible politics of the corrupt and the draft-dodgers”.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett went even further, calling the law “a declaration of war by the government on the reservists.” He is expected to challenge Netanyahu in upcoming elections, potentially scheduled for November 2026.
Currently, only a small fraction (around 2%) of ultra-Orthodox Jews respond to conscription orders, and the IDF has established specialized units to accommodate them. However, with roughly 66,000 men of military age benefiting from the exemption – a record high – the issue of conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews remains a central and highly divisive point in Israeli politics. The coming weeks, as lawmakers debate the text, will be critical in determining the future of this contentious matter, and potentially, the future of the Netanyahu government. The underlying issue of national service for all citizens remains a key debate point that isn’t easily resolved.
