Netanyahu proposes gradually increasing ultra-Orthodox Jew drafting in army

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Wednesday (May 15) put forward a new conscription law proposal that would gradually increase national service recruitment among the ultra-Orthodox Haredi community.

The proposal comes just a day before the May 16 deadline set by the Israeli Supreme Court. Earlier this month, the court had given Netanyahu's coalition time to come up with a plan to resolve the conscription issue, which has caused significant public discontent.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews and exemptions

The exemptions granted to ultra-Orthodox Jews have long been a point of contention in Israel. The issue is further exacerbated by the country's costly mobilisation during the conflict in Gaza in which high casualties have been recorded among young soldiers and reservists.

Ultra-Orthodox parties, which represent approximately 13 per cent of Israel's population, have been coalition partners in successive Netanyahu-led governments, demanding that their constituents be permitted to study in seminaries instead of serving in the military.

Netanyahu's coalition includes two ultra-Orthodox parties that have threatened to leave the government if military exemptions are removed.

Critics argue that the draft exemption stops many of them from participating in the workforce, while opposition lawmakers have denounced it as an unfair and an insulting policy to other Israelis.

Netanyahu's proposal

The new proposal aims to gradually increase national service recruitment among ultra-Orthodox Jews.

It builds on a previous bill introduced by former army chief Benny Gantz, who joined Netanyahu's government in a show of unity during the war. However, Gantz has criticised the bill as inadequate for Israel's current wartime needs, emphasising that the country requires more soldiers rather than political compromises.

Previously, in March, the centrist cabinet minister said, "The nation cannot accept it, the Knesset (parliament) must not vote for it, and my colleagues and I will not be members of the emergency government should such legislation pass in the Knesset."

"The conscription law being drawn up by the government is a serious moral failure that will create a deep rift within us at a time when we need to fight together against our enemies,"Gantz added.

Netanyahu's office stated that the prime minister aims to bridge societal and political divides and has urged all parties that previously supported the conscription law to do so again.

(With inputs from agencies)