Refusing military service on religious grounds: Controversial conscription bill passed in Israel
The Israeli parliament has passed a bill exempting Ultra-Orthodox Jews from mandatory military service. Most Haredi Jews, who have significant disagreements with secular Jews on many issues and refuse to integrate into the rest of society, decline to serve in the military on the grounds that they cannot live according to the requirements of their faith in the army.
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The Israeli parliament has passed a bill by a majority vote that exempts Ultra-Orthodox Jews (Haredim) from mandatory military service.
According to a report by Israel's Army Radio, the mandatory conscription bill, which grants exemptions from military service to the Haredim, was approved with 63 votes out of 120 members of parliament, despite opposition from Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
A report by the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper also stated that the bill in question was passed by a majority vote, with 63 members of parliament voting in favor and 57 voting against.
COMMITTEE TO DEBATE
For the bill to enter into force, it will be debated in the parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee to be approved in the second and third readings.
The Haredim, most of whom refuse to join the military for religious reasons, make up approximately 12 percent of the country's 9 million population. The vast majority of Haredi Jews in the country live in the Mea Shearim neighborhood in West Jerusalem and the city of Bnei Brak near the capital, Tel Aviv.
The coalition alliance of Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who emerged victorious from the November 1, 2022 elections in Israel, includes far-right parties as well as the ultra-Orthodox Shas and United Torah Judaism parties.
THEY REFUSE TO SERVE
Most Haredi Jews, who have significant disagreements with secular Jews on many issues and refuse to integrate into the rest of society, decline to serve in the military on the grounds that they cannot live according to the requirements of their faith in the army.
There is a 3-year mandatory military service for men and women in Israel. Haredim, however, are exempt from military service if they study in Torah schools (Yeshivas) until the age of 26.
In Israel, the Haredi parties in the coalition want to legally guarantee the exemption of the segment they represent from military service by passing a law stating that "Torah study is a fundamental right."