'Israel' to draft 54,000 Ultra-Orthodox as strains deepen

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
7 Jul 2025 10:11
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Amid rising battlefield losses and recruitment shortfalls, "Israel" turns to reluctant ultra-Orthodox conscripts, exposing deep fractures in its military system.

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Israeli police officers disperse Ultra-Orthodox Jewish settlers blocking a highway during a protest against army recruitment in Bnei Brak, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP)

The Israeli occupation military announced plans to issue 54,000 draft notices to Ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students, following a Supreme Court decision on Monday that overturned decades of exemption from mandatory military service.

The decision comes amid severe battlefield losses in Gaza at the hands of the Palestinian resistance, continued aggression on southern Lebanon, the fallout from its failed confrontation with Iran, and expanding military attacks on Yemen, all of which have left the occupation forces overstretched and exposed.

The exemption policy dates back to the early years of the occupation, when the Ultra-Orthodox community represented a much smaller portion of the population. Today, Ultra-Orthodox Jews account for roughly 13% of the total, a demographic shift that has turned the deferment into a divisive internal issue.

It is worth noting that military service is compulsory for most Israeli settlers at age 18, typically lasting between two and three years, followed by ongoing reserve duty.

Military confirms draft orders as coalition seeks compromise

In a statement released on Sunday, the Israeli military confirmed that the draft orders will be issued within this month. The timing coincides with reports that ultra-Orthodox parties within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition are attempting to craft new legislation to strike a compromise, aiming to preserve coalition unity while responding to the court's directive.

Religious leaders within the ultra-Orthodox sector have voiced deep concern over the integration of their students into mixed-gender military environments, arguing that such settings pose a threat to their strict religious lifestyle. In response, the Israeli army has pledged to design specialized units and frameworks that "respect religious sensitivities and accommodate the needs of ultra-Orthodox conscripts".

It is worth noting that Netanyahu delayed his departure to Washington on Sunday amid mounting pressure from Ultra-Orthodox blocs demanding immediate progress on the military service exemption law, Israeli Channel 12 reported. These parties have threatened to collapse the government if their demands are not met in the coming days.

Three-and-a-half hours behind schedule, Netanyahu took off from Ben Gurion Airport. The delay underscores the growing political tensions within the coalition, as the Ultra-Orthodox demand swift legislative action.

Likud lawmaker Yuli Edelstein met with representatives of the Ultra-Orthodox Shas party to present a draft compromise bill aimed at regulating the conscription of yeshiva students. This initiative came amid mounting pressure from Haredi factions, who demanded the opportunity to review the legislation ahead of Netanyahu’s visit to the United States.

The final draft is expected to be presented to lawmakers within 48 hours, after Edelstein insisted on introducing further amendments, according to Israel Hayom.

Uneasing tension

Earlier last month, tensions within "Israel's" ruling coalition were reaching a boiling point as ultra-Orthodox political parties threatened on June 8 to dismantle the Knesset over the government's failure to enact legislation shielding yeshiva students from military conscription.

According to Israel Hayom, far-right religious factions, known collectively as the Haredi bloc, were united in their readiness to break ranks with Netanyahu, whom they labeled "a burden". Their frustration stemmed from the delayed passage of a long-promised draft exemption law, derailed by both legal rulings and internal coalition disagreements.

A senior figure in Degel HaTorah told the newspaper that "all the Haredi parties are coordinated regarding the vote." The same official alluded to internal discord among government allies, saying: "Aryeh Deri (leader of the extremist Shas party) is torn between his voters and will only join after we lead the move."

Deri himself confirmed the party's stance in recent statements: "There is no choice left. We don't like it, but we need to support the dissolution of the Knesset," adding that Netanyahu "is mocking us" through continued inaction.