Military service crisis in Israel: Netanyahu says the government could collapse!

According to a report by Israel's state broadcaster KAN, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a message to ministers stating that he would not back down from supporting the controversial bill to be presented to parliament this week.

In his message, Netanyahu warned that the government could collapse if the controversial bill, which exempts Ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service, is not passed.

Former Israeli Prime Minister and opposition leader Yair Lapid stated that if the bill exempting Haredim from military service is passed this week, Israeli War Cabinet member Benny Gantz should withdraw his party from the government.

Speaking to KAN, Lapid said, "If the mandatory military service law passes on Tuesday, Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot must leave the government."

"THE ARMY IS BEING PUSHED TO ITS LIMITS"

Arguing that the controversial bill in question has ceased to be an "ideological debate" and would instead become a "security disaster," Lapid stated, "There are not enough soldiers, the army is being pushed to its limits. There are currently more soldiers in the West Bank than in Gaza, and there is no actual war going on there right now."

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced yesterday that he would oppose the bill, which seeks to extend the exemption of Ultra-Orthodox Jews from mandatory military service.

HAREDIM MAKE UP APPROXIMATELY 12 PERCENT OF ISRAEL'S POPULATION

The Haredim, most of whom refuse to serve in the military for religious reasons, make up approximately 12 percent of the country's population of 9 million.

The vast majority of Haredim 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 government of Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu, who emerged victorious in the November 1, 2022 elections in Israel, includes far-right parties as well as the Ultra-Orthodox Shas and United Torah Judaism parties.

Most Haredim, who have disagreements with secular Jews on many issues and refuse to integrate into the rest of society, refuse to perform military service on the grounds that they cannot live according to the requirements of their religion in the army.

There is a 3-year mandatory military service for men and women in Israel. Haredim who follow the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish faith are exempt from military service if they study in Torah schools (Yeshivas) until the age of 26.

The Haredi parties in the coalition in Israel want to legally guarantee the exemption of the segments they represent from military service by passing a law stating that "Torah study is a fundamental right."

News Source: AA