Israel’s Supreme Court Orders Compulsory Military Service for Ultra-Orthodox Men

Israel‘s Supreme Court has issued a landmark ruling mandating that ultra-Orthodox men must now be subject to compulsory military service, overturning a long-held exemption system.

The decision, announced on Tuesday, has stirred controversy within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s coalition, with religiously conservative parties opposing the move.

The court found the existing selective enforcement of military service unconstitutional, emphasizing the principle of equality before the law.

During the current conflict with Hamas in Gaza, where casualties among soldiers have exceeded 600, the urgency for equal conscription obligations has become more pronounced.

The court ruling did not specify the exact number of ultra-Orthodox men to be drafted into the military.

The exemption of ultra-Orthodox men from military service has been a divisive issue, especially during the prolonged conflict in Gaza, highlighting the discord between secular and religious communities.

Key ultra-Orthodox parties in Netanyahu’s coalition, backing the exemption system, may face dilemmas following the ruling, leading to potential government instability.

Amid calls for broadening the conflict and the military’s need for additional manpower, the court decision to end exemptions has significant implications for both the military and the coalition government.

Ultra-Orthodox seminaries traditionally focus on religious studies, lacking preparation in secular subjects, which poses challenges for their integration into the military or workforce.

With a growing population rate of about 4 percent annually, the ultra-Orthodox community’s reluctance to enlist raises concerns over the fairness and effectiveness of Israel’s conscription system.

Each year, a substantial number of ultra-Orthodox males reach conscription age, but only a small fraction opts for military service, raising questions about the community’s engagement with national defense obligations.

The Movement for Quality Government in Israel, a prominent advocate for equality in military service, has called for immediate action to enforce conscription among eligible seminary students.