Israeli Defense Minister Rejects Ultra-Orthodox Conscription Plan, Causing Coalition Concerns

Israel’s defense minister announced on Sunday that he does not agree with the government’s new plan for recruiting ultra-Orthodox men into the military. This disagreement could potentially lead to the collapse of the government coalition.

The Israeli Supreme Court had set a deadline for the end of March for the government to clarify why there are no laws in place regarding the conscription of ultra-Orthodox men, also known as Haredim. Additionally, the court questioned why the government continues to provide funding for Haredi religious schools, called yeshivas, while allowing young Haredi men to be exempt from military service.

An outline of the Israeli government’s plans for reforming the exemption surfaced over the weekend. However, it seems that the government is considering delaying the legislation once again.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant expressed his disapproval of the emerging proposal before leaving for a trip to Washington. According to CNN affiliate Channel 11 (Kan News), he stated, “I do not support this proposal. In the meetings, the parties were unwilling to compromise and stuck to their political stances.”

Gallant restated on Sunday that he will only back laws that have widespread political backing. This includes support from Benny Gantz of the National Unity party, who, together with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, makes up the third member of Israel's War Cabinet.

Gallant emphasized, "My stance remains the same. I will not support any suggestion that does not have the approval of all coalition members. Furthermore, the security system, under my guidance, will not endorse it for legislation."

Gilad Milach, director of the Ultra-Orthodox in Israel program at the Israel Democracy Institute, pointed out that Gantz's party seems to want to leave the coalition. This could be a possible reason for their decision.

According to Milach and Israeli media reports, the government is planning to ask for another extension on the Supreme Court's deadline for the legislation this week. If the deadline is extended, the government plans to maintain the current exemption status temporarily while working on a permanent solution in the upcoming months.

Israeli media reported on Sunday that the government's proposal includes three main parts. First, the government plans to increase the age limit for Haredi men to remain yeshiva students and be exempt from military service from 26 to 35. Additionally, special Haredi battalions will be established in the IDF, and Haredi individuals will have opportunities for positions in emergency services and government offices. The government also aims to ensure that Haredi men who do not enlist will not face criminal penalties.

Milach expressed concern that the Supreme Court may find the proposal unacceptable.

For many years, there has been a debate in Israel about whether Haredim should be exempt from mandatory military service. Originally, Haredim were not required to serve in the military when Israel was established. However, in 1998, the Supreme Court decided that this exemption was not fair and went against equal protection principles. Despite efforts by different governments and Knessets to find a solution, the court has consistently ruled that these attempts were not legal.

Netanyahu might not require Gallant and Gantz's backing to delay the decision, since he still has enough support in the Knesset with his previous coalition. However, the impact on politics could be significant, potentially causing his wartime coalition partners to step down, leading to a chain of resignations.

Milach mentioned, "This matter could be a valid reason for stepping down." He added, "The Israeli public is highly upset about this upcoming law."

According to a poll conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute in February, 64% of Israeli respondents and 70% of Jewish Israeli respondents believe that the Haredi exemption should be revised. The poll surveyed 600 Israeli adults in Hebrew and 150 in Arabic.

During his remarks on Sunday, Gallant mentioned that there is still an opportunity to come together and create a unified proposal.

I urge the Prime Minister and Minister Benny Gantz to work together to reach a consensus on the conscription law for the IDF and the State of Israel. Let's make the most of the time we have left to come to an agreement that benefits everyone.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the ongoing debate and potential crisis within the Israeli government over the conscription of ultra-Orthodox men into the military. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's opposition to the government's plan could lead to the collapse of the coalition, with significant political implications. The Supreme Court's deadline and the public's dissatisfaction with the current exemption status add pressure to find a solution.

The government's proposal, which includes extending the age limit for yeshiva exemption and creating special Haredi battalions, raises concerns about its legality and fairness. The court has consistently ruled against attempts to exempt Haredim from military service based on equal protection principles. If the proposal is found unacceptable by the court, it could further strain the government's authority and undermine public trust. The outcome of this debate will have far-reaching consequences for Israeli society and its commitment to universal conscription. remains to be seen whether the Prime Minister and the other coalition partners can bridge these differences and reach a consensus that satisfies all parties involved.