Young men enrolled in full-time religious study have traditionally been excluded from conscription; nevertheless, a recent legislative arrangement allowing the practice to continue has expired.
The Israeli military is sometimes referred to as “the People’s Army,” and the widespread exclusion of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men from conscription has long been a source of conflict.
Israeli military authorities have expressed dissatisfaction about the ongoing conflict in Gaza, citing a lack of combat soldiers, which has resulted in increased calls for a more equitable distribution of security responsibilities.
Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox males may now be required to report for the draft as a result of this decision by Israel’s highest court.
The court further decided that public funds for Jewish seminaries whose pupils avoid conscription need to be stopped.
