Israel votes to revive controversial ultra-Orthodox conscription law following Gantz's resignation
Ultra-Orthodox Jews Israel
Israel's parliament on Monday (June 10) moved ahead with a contentious law on conscripting ultra-Orthodox religious students into the military.
This development comes a day after centrist former general Benny Gantz quit the government over strategic disagreements concerning the Gaza war.
Israel's conscription plan
The conscription bill, which still requires further readings and committee hearings, proposes a gradual introduction of ultra-Orthodox Jews into military service. Historically, this group has resisted military service.
The bill aims to increase ultra-Orthodox participation in the military, although their numbers would be limited and alternatives to military service would be allowed.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent
)
India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh
)
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?
)
Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition
)
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
)
Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch
)
Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions
)
Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy
)
Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
)
Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside
)
Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act
)
Stray Kids under scrutiny? Fans react to Grammy submission silence after BTS boycott
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
Jugal Hansraj reunites with Shekhar Kapur after 40 years for Masoom: The Next Generation
)
New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know
)
India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims
)
Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed
)
US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built
)
Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH
)
Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school
)
Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report
Military conscription for ultra-Orthodox men has been a divisive issue in Israel, where mandatory military service is seen as a cornerstone of national security. The debate has become particularly sensitive since the start of the Gaza war, which has resulted in over 600 Israeli soldierslosing their lives.
Gantz and the conscription bill
Although initially proposed by Gantz in 2022 under the previous government, he now opposes the bill, arguing it does not meet the new personnel needs of the military.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the last remaining general after the departures of Gantz and former army chief Gadi Eisenkot, voted against the bill.
In contrast, religious parties within the coalition, who have traditionally opposed broad conscription expansions, supported the bill with the expectation of amending it during the review stage.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, leader of a pro-settler party, emphasised the importance of integrating the ultra-Orthodox community without pushing them into a corner.
"We have a great opportunity that should not be missed. The ultra-Orthodox public must not be pushed into a corner," he said.
Speaking to Reuters, Assaf Shapira, head of the political reform programme at the Israel Democracy Institute, commented, "There are those who supported it then and oppose it now because they see it as wrong for Israel now, and there are those who opposed it then and will support it now because they see an opportunity to change it."
Four Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza
The Israeli army, in an announcement, said thatfour Givati Brigade soldiers were killed in combat in Gaza's south. The soldiers have been identified asTal Pshebilski Shaulov, 24-years-old from Gedera; Eitan Karlsbrun, 20-years-old from Modi'in; Almog Shalom, 19-years-old from Kibbutz Hamadia; and Yair Levin, 19-years old from Givat Harel.
The soldier's group, consisting of trainees, was struck by an explosion in a booby trapped building in Rafah's east Shabura neighbourhood.
(With inputs from agencies)
