Israel's conscription crisis deepens as coalition fractures over Haredi bill

A divisive legislative battle over military conscription is threatening to fracture Israel's ruling coalition, as a key parliamentary committee debates a bill to formalize exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox Haredi community. The proposed law, which would excuse Haredi men from mandatory service, has exposed deep rifts within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and prompted accusations that he is prioritizing political survival over military necessity.

Coalition Rebellion and "Shameful" Legislation

The controversy has triggered open rebellion from members of Netanyahu's own coalition. Immigration Minister Ofir Sofer of the Religious Zionism party publicly vowed to vote against what he called a "shameful" bill, stating he would do so even at the risk of being fired. He was joined by fellow party members Michal Waldiger and Moshe Solomon, who declared they would not support the legislation without significant amendments. This internal opposition jeopardizes the bill's passage, as Netanyahu cannot afford to lose several votes from his fragile parliamentary majority.

Political Motives and a Looming Court Deadline

The opposition accuses Netanyahu of advancing the bill primarily to secure the return of two ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, to his coalition. Their support is contingent on the legislation's passage. The political maneuvering occurs under pressure from a recent Supreme Court ruling, which gave the government 45 days to implement an "effective enforcement policy" against Haredi draft evasion, including potential criminal and economic sanctions. The court's intervention highlights the longstanding tension between the state's secular legal framework and the Haredi community's religious privileges.

A Decades-Old Social Conflict

The conscription debate touches a raw nerve in Israeli society. Military service is compulsory for most Jewish citizens at age 18. However, the Haredi community, which makes up roughly 13% of the population, has historically received exemptions to allow for full-time religious study, with deferments lasting until age 26. Community leaders argue that military service threatens their religious identity, with prominent rabbis urging followers to "tear up enlistment orders." The current legislative push aims to codify these exemptions into law, but it faces growing public resentment from other citizens who bear the burden of national defense.