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Israel's Supreme Court Unanimously Orders Draft of Ultra-Orthodox Men, Threatening Netanyahu's Coalition

Jun 25, 2024, 09:08 AM

Israel's Supreme Court has ruled unanimously that the government must draft ultra-Orthodox Jewish men into the military, ending longstanding exemptions that have shielded them from compulsory service. This landmark decision could lead to the collapse of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government, which relies heavily on the support of ultra-Orthodox parties. The court's ruling also mandates the freezing of state funds for institutions that do not comply with the draft, starting April 1. The decision has sparked significant political repercussions, with some ultra-Orthodox leaders vehemently opposing the ruling and warning of severe societal divisions. There are about 60,000 eligible draftees from the haredi community.