'Israel' faces political, social tensions over drafting ultra-Orthodox Jews

• 'Israel' debates conscription of ultra-Orthodox men, threatening government stability.
• Public support for sanctions against draft evasion is rising outside the Haredi community.
• Ultra-Orthodox leaders maintain that religious study protects the nation as much as soldiers do.
• Political divisions and protests highlight tensions between tradition and modern state demands.

'Israel' is grappling with a contentious debate over the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews into the military, a move that threatens to destabilize the government and deepen societal divisions.

After two years of war and mounting pressure on conscripts, public opinion has shifted, placing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the center of one of his most volatile political challenges.

Lawmakers are reviewing a draft bill aimed at ending the exemption granted to ultra-Orthodox men who engage in full-time religious study, a policy in place since 1948. While the High Court of Justice ruled the exemption illegal nearly two decades ago, temporary arrangements allowed it to continue until last year. Last year, some 24,000 draft notices were issued, yet only around 1,200 Haredi men reported for service.

Tensions have spilled into the streets. In recent weeks, two Haredi politicians were targeted by extremist protesters, and a special Border Police unit had to intervene when Military Police officers attempting to arrest draft-evaders were confronted by large crowds. The ultra-Orthodox community has also developed a messaging system called “Black Alert” to quickly mobilize protests against arrests.

A massive demonstration in Jerusalem last month, involving tens of thousands of Haredi men, highlighted the broader debate about Israel’s identity and the role of religion in society. “We’re a Jewish country,” said Shmuel Orbach, one of the protesters. “You can’t fight against Judaism in a Jewish country. It doesn’t work.”

At Bnei Brak’s Kisse Rahamim yeshiva, life continues largely untouched by the national debate. “By studying Torah, we protect the soldiers wherever they are. This is our army,” said Rabbi Tzemach Mazuz, describing the centuries-old belief that continuous religious study safeguards 'Israel’s' military.

Meanwhile, support for extending the draft is rising outside the Haredi community. A survey by the Israel Democracy Institute in July found that 85 percent of non-Haredi Jews, including three-quarters of Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party, backed sanctions for draft evasion, with many supporting the withdrawal of benefits or even voting rights for those who refuse to serve.

Netanyahu has promised that the new draft bill could see 10,000 yeshiva students conscripted within two years, a move he called “a real revolution.” However, the draft remains politically sensitive, as ultra-Orthodox parties are vital coalition partners and key to Netanyahu’s political survival amid his ongoing corruption trial.

The bill currently under discussion is criticized by both opposition and some coalition members for being too lenient, effectively maintaining the status quo for most Haredi men while easing sanctions for draft-dodgers once they turn 26. Opposition leader Yair Lapid labeled the draft text a “disgrace” and a “betrayal.”