Israel`s Supreme Court verdicts necessity no draft ultra-Orthodox Jews
Date
6/27/2024 7:34:44 AM
(MENAFN) Israel's Supreme Court has issued a landmark ruling mandating the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students into military service, overturning decades of exemptions that have stirred controversy across Israeli society. The unanimous decision comes amidst ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Israel faces a pressing need for additional manpower.
In a significant move, the court also directed the Israeli government to cease funding religious schools, known as yeshivas, whose students have traditionally avoided military service. The ruling emphasized that the current legal framework does not justify blanket exemptions from conscription for yeshiva students, asserting that such distinctions are unjustified.
Since the establishment of the state in 1948, most Jewish men and women in Israel are required to serve in the military, but ultra-Orthodox, or 'Haredi', Jewish seminary students have historically been exempted. This exemption has been a source of contention among secular Israelis, especially exacerbated during periods of heightened military mobilization, such as the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The Supreme Court justices highlighted the urgency of addressing this issue, particularly in light of the current war situation, stressing the need for a sustainable resolution to the longstanding inequality in military service obligations. According to the court, there are approximately 63,000 draft-age Haredi young men currently eligible for military service.
Ultra-Orthodox Jews view their religious studies as paramount in upholding Judaism, often isolating themselves from secular society, including military service, as part of their strict adherence to religious principles. The court's ruling marks a significant step towards equalizing the burden of military service in Israeli society, while sparking debates over the balance between religious freedom and national defense obligations.
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