'Israel' issues 7,000 new draft orders to ultra-Orthodox Jews
An Israeli soldier walks among ultra-orthodox Israeli settlers during a protest against a potential new draft law which could end their exemptions from military service in occupied al-Quds, Thursday, October 31, 2024. (AP)
"Israel's" Security Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday announced an additional 7,000 draft orders for ultra-Orthodox men, a group historically exempt from mandatory military service.
The decision comes as the regime grapples with a pressing need to bolster troop numbers amid its war on Gaza and Lebanon.
The announcement also follows a previous round of 3,000 draft orders issued in July, which led to widespread protests within the ultra-Orthodox community.
Screenings are set to begin in the coming days, a statement issued by the Security ministry said.
"The defense minister concluded that the war and the challenges we face underscore the Israeli army's need for additional soldiers," the ministry said. "This is a tangible operational need that requires broad national mobilization from all parts of society."
'Israel's' Draft Exemption Sparks Tensions
"Israel" mandates military service for Jewish men, who serve for 32 months, and for Jewish women, who serve for 24 months.
However, since the establishment of the Israeli entity in 1948, ultra-Orthodox men have been exempt from service if they dedicate themselves to studying Jewish religious texts full-time.
This exemption applied to just 400 men initially, but today, around 66,000 ultra-Orthodox individuals of conscription age are exempt.
Read more: Ground reality difficult amid severe manpower shortages: Israeli media
According to the Israel Democracy Institute, the ultra-Orthodox community now makes up roughly 14% of "Israel's" Jewish population, totaling approximately 1.3 million people.
As the community has grown, the exemption has been a source of political tension, with secular Israelis arguing that it places an unfair burden on other segments of society.
In June, "Israel's" Supreme Court ruled that the regime could no longer maintain the blanket exemption for yeshiva (seminary) students without an adequate legal basis, mandating their conscription.
This decision has paved the way for the new draft orders, which are being issued at a time of heightened security concerns.
Public Reaction
Ultra-Orthodox settlers have responded strongly to the draft orders, with leaders warning of continued protests and possible unrest if exemptions are not reinstated.
Many in the community argue that military service is incompatible with their religious lifestyle, which prioritizes the study of sacred texts.
The move also comes as the Israeli regime faces mounting internal pressures, with a divided populace debating the role of the ultra-Orthodox in "Israel's" security.
Political analysts note that the inclusion of the ultra-Orthodox in the draft could shift "Israel's" military demographics, but it also risks deepening divides between religious and secular Israelis.