Prime Minister Netanyahu threatened with ruling to exempt ultra-Orthodox from military service

world news

by Matthew Sedacca

As the war with Hamas escalates, a surprising Israeli Supreme Court order to freeze funding to ultra-Orthodox yeshivas unless students join the army could rupture Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition. be.

Following Thursday's order upholding a 2018 High Court ruling that found the current system, which has historically exempted ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service, to be discriminatory, the Israeli government will issue a new It is necessary to present a national conscription plan.

The majority of Israelis believe that the exemption from military service is unfair.

The decision came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked the court for a 30-day extension to find a compromise on draft exemption for ultra-Orthodox, who make up 13% of Israel's population.

The exemption issue has divided Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's fragile government, made up of both secular and ultra-Orthodox Jewish lawmakers, who are divided on the court's ruling.

The ultra-Orthodox parties in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition, which promised to make the country's decades-old military draft exemption permanent, denounced the court's decision as a “Sign of Cain,” Bloomberg reported. did.

But centrists who joined Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war cabinet in October supported the decision, arguing for the need for more troops as the Jewish state faces threats from Hamas in Gaza along with Hezbollah in Lebanon. .

“The issue is not with the Supreme Court,” said Benny Gantz, a former war minister and opposition leader who has threatened to resign from Israel's unity government over the draft issue. “The problem is that we need soldiers during difficult wars, and that society needs everyone to participate in the privilege of serving their country.”

If ultra-Orthodox members of Prime Minister Netanyahu's coalition leave the government over the issue, new elections will be held with Netanyahu languishing in the polls.

Most Israelis are required to join the army and then serve in the reserves, but for decades ultra-Orthodox Jews have instead studied Torah full-time and received government scholarships. have been accepted to receive it.

This respite is especially important as the life-changing war, which has left more than 500 soldiers dead and tens of thousands of Israelis drafted into the reservists, approaches its sixth month. It is stirring up resentment among the people.

Comes with post wire.