The IDF issued call-up notices to 1,000 members of the haredi community on Sunday, aiming to bolster their ranks. This move, however, may deepen the divide between religious and secular Israelis.
Following a Supreme Court ruling that ended blanket exemptions for Jewish seminary students from conscript military, the new policy shift has faced opposition from religious parties in the government, adding strain to the coalition amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Haredi leaders express concerns
Leaders of the haredi community fear that serving alongside secular individuals could threaten their religious identity. While some refuse to serve, the IDF has created units specifically for haredi recruits.
As tensions rise, the government plans to send out further call-up notices to a total of 3,000 haredi conscripts. Efforts to pass a conscription law for a compromise are underway to prevent destabilizing the coalition.
With the conflict persisting and threats looming, pressure mounts to distribute military service among all Israelis, highlighting the complex dynamics of the situation.