The Israeli parliament has voted in favor of a controversial law that would allow ultra-Orthodox Jews to be conscripted. Lawmakers voted 63-57 on Tuesday in favor of the law backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It provides for a gradual and limited increase in the number of ultra-Orthodox in military service.
The majority of Jews in Israel are required to perform military service. An exception applies to the ultra-Orthodox community, so that its male members can devote themselves to religious studies. The Israeli state has been trying for years to increase the number of ultra-Orthodox (Haredim) in the armed forces. Due to their large number of children, the haredim are the fastest growing Jewish population group in Israel.
At the same time, the average income of ultra-Orthodox households is significantly lower than that of the general Israeli population. Many ultra-Orthodox men, unlike women, do not have formal jobs.
Soldiers dissatisfied
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of Netanyahu’s Likud party criticized the law as not going far enough, given the war against radical Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip and daily fighting with Hezbollah along the border with Lebanon. “We cannot play petty politics on the backs of the military’s big fighters,” Gallant said after Tuesday’s vote. “Carrying the burden of military service is a national challenge.”
Netanyahu has ruled Israel since the 2022 parliamentary elections with the help of ultra-right and ultra-Orthodox parties. Opposition leader Yair Lapid accused Netanyahu of promoting a conscription law without “any value” to stay in power. The bill now goes to parliamentary committees for consideration before another vote.
Source: Krone
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