Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government is in jeopardy after the country’s supreme court ruled to end government subsidies for ultra-Orthodox men who do not serve in the army. The court’s decision comes after the government’s delays in presenting a proposal to increase the military enlistment of ultra-Orthodox men.
The government has been given until Monday to come up with a new plan and until 30 June to pass it. Netanyahu had requested a 30-day extension to find a compromise, but the court did not respond to his plea. If the ultra-Orthodox parties exit the government, new elections could be triggered, with Netanyahu currently lagging in the polls.
The policy allowing yeshiva students to avoid conscription dates back to the early days of Israel, with 400 students initially granted exemptions. However, some Haredi men have expressed their willingness to go to jail rather than enlist in the army. Defence minister and other cabinet members have expressed support for reviewing the exemption policy.
Israel’s Sephardi chief rabbi has warned that Haredim would leave the country in large numbers if their exemption from compulsory service is not renewed. The ultra-Orthodox parties in Netanyahu’s coalition government have strongly condemned the court’s ruling.
The political turmoil surrounding the issue of military enlistment for ultra-Orthodox men puts Netanyahu’s government in a precarious position. The coming days will be crucial in determining the future of the coalition government and the possibility of new elections in Israel.
“Social media scholar. Reader. Zombieaholic. Hardcore music maven. Web fanatic. Coffee practitioner. Explorer.”