Reports from Israeli news agencies and community leaders

Israel's Supreme Court Landmark Ruling: Ultra-Orthodox Jews Must Serve in Military, Threatening Netanyahu's Coalition

Jun 25, 2024, 08:26 AM

Israel's Supreme Court has ruled that the government must draft ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students into the military, a decision that could potentially destabilize Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government. The unanimous verdict delivered by the High Court of Justice states there is no legal basis for exempting ultra-Orthodox men from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) draft, citing manpower needs of war. This landmark ruling overturns a previous law that allowed exemptions and could lead to significant political and social repercussions. An Orthodox Jewish minister has already warned that the decision could lead to a 'two-state' scenario, as the community is unlikely to accept mandatory military service. Additionally, the ruling stipulates that those who are not drafted will be ineligible for publicly funded welfare and educational grants, and it prevents any state funding for ultra-Orthodox Yeshiva students.