Why Israel’s Court Ordered the Conscription of Ultra-Orthodox Men

Israel’s Supreme Court ruled on June 25 that the military must start conscripting ultra-Orthodox Jews. The ruling ends an exemption that goes back to the state’s founding. It is putting pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government as Israel fights a war in Gaza and is likely to start a process of profound change for the country’s 1.3 million ultra-Orthodox, also known as Haredim. If they start to serve in the army, some may leave the fold.

Army service is required of all able-bodied members of the country’s Jewish majority. Men serve around three years and women around two. Women can easily obtain an exemption on religious grounds and are encouraged to volunteer for non-military national service. Able-bodied men from two minority groups — Druze and Circassians — are also drafted. Arab citizens of Israel are exempt. So are Haredim.