By Ingy Ashraf,
According to Reuters, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to end exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service, citing political pressures. The government will determine objectives for conscripting ultra-Orthodox people to the IDF and national civil service. The Supreme Court ruled in 2018 that the burden of military service should be shared.
Netanyahu’s defense minister pledged to veto a law allowing exemptions unless ultra-Orthodox enlistment is reached, as ultra-Orthodox parties have previously supported Netanyahu’s coalition majority.
“We recognize and support those who dedicate their life to studying Jewish holy scripture but, with that, without physical existence there is no spiritual existence,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Wednesday.
The exemptions granted to ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel, who make up 13% of the population, have caused friction with secular citizens due to their pious lifestyles clashing with military mores and ideological opposition to the liberal state.
