Dozens of ultra-Orthodox protesters in Jerusalem blocked roads on Sunday as Israel's Supreme Court heard arguments in a significant case challenging a controversial system of exemptions from military service granted to the religious community. The court is examining the legality of these exemptions, which have caused division in the country and posed a threat to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition. A decision on this matter is anticipated in the coming weeks.
In Israel, most Jewish men and women are obligated to serve mandatory military service at the age of 18. However, the politically influential ultra-Orthodox community has traditionally been exempted if they are engaged in full-time religious studies at seminaries. These exemptions have sparked outrage among the wider public, particularly in light of the significant number of soldiers who have lost their lives in conflicts, such as the war with Hamas.
During the court proceedings on Sunday, government lawyers argued that compelling ultra-Orthodox men to enlist would have a detrimental impact on Israeli society. The court proposed a goal of enlisting 3,000 ultra-Orthodox men annually – a figure more than double the current levels but still less than 25% of their total population.
In response to the protests in Jerusalem, Israeli police intervened to clear the roads and forcibly remove demonstrators who briefly obstructed the city’s light rail. The protesters were heard chanting “to prison and not to the army.”
Earlier in March, the court had ruled to cease government subsidies for many ultra-Orthodox men who do not serve in the military. Netanyahu is facing a court-imposed deadline of June 30 to enact a new law that would put an end to the broad exemptions. However, his government relies on the support of ultra-Orthodox parties, and abolishing these exemptions could potentially lead to their withdrawal and trigger fresh elections.
