Israel sends orders to draft more ultra-Orthodox soldiers as wars drag on

JERUSALEM – The Israeli military issued call-up notices to more members of the ultra-Orthodox community on Nov 17 to bolster its forces as it fights on its southern and northern borders, a move that may further inflame tensions between religious and secular Israelis.

The Supreme Court

ruled in June

that the Defence Ministry could no longer grant blanket exemptions to Jewish seminary students from the conscript military, an arrangement in place since around the time of Israel’s establishment in 1948 when the number of ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi, was tiny.

As Israel fights wars against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Israel’s Defence Ministry said on Nov 15 that 7,000 members of the community would gradually receive notices, starting on Nov 17.

A statement from the Defence Ministry said it would work with community leaders to ensure ultra-Orthodox soldiers could preserve their religious lifestyles while serving.

In July, the military called up 1,000 ultra-Orthodox men. The new policy shift has been opposed by the two religious parties in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, placing severe strains on the right-wing coalition.

Leaders of the rapidly growing ultra-Orthodox community say forcing seminary students to serve alongside secular Israelis, including women, risks destroying their identity as religious Jews.

The government faces increasing pressure from Israeli reservists, of which many have served for the majority of the past year, to draft ultra-Orthodox members.

Israel’s public broadcaster Kan reported on Nov 17 that some rabbis were urging those who received notices to refuse. REUTERS