Ultra-Orthodox Jews have long enjoyed a special exemption from mandatory military service in Israel, but that exemption is now coming under increased scrutiny and pressure from the government. The issue of military service for ultra-Orthodox Jews has been a contentious one in Israel for decades, with many arguing that it is unfair for a small segment of the population to be exempt from a duty that is compulsory for all other Israeli citizens.
The roots of the exemption date back to the early years of the state of Israel, when the country’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, made a deal with religious leaders to exempt a small number of yeshiva students from military service. The idea was that these students would devote themselves to religious study and prayer, while other Israelis served in the military to defend the country.
However, over the years, the number of ultra-Orthodox Jews taking advantage of this exemption has grown significantly. Today, thousands of young ultra-Orthodox men are able to avoid military service by claiming that they are studying in yeshivas. This has led to accusations that the exemption is being abused and that it is unfair to other Israelis who are required to serve in the military.
In recent years, there has been a growing push to end the exemption for ultra-Orthodox Jews and require them to serve in the military like all other Israeli citizens. Proponents of ending the exemption argue that it is necessary to promote equality and ensure that all Israelis share in the burden of defending the country. They also point out that the Israeli military is in need of more soldiers, and that requiring ultra-Orthodox Jews to serve would help address this shortage.
Opponents of ending the exemption, however, argue that military service is incompatible with the religious beliefs and way of life of ultra-Orthodox Jews. They argue that studying in yeshivas is a form of national service in itself, as it helps preserve Jewish tradition and culture. They also point out that many ultra-Orthodox men go on to work and contribute to society in other ways after their studies are complete.
Despite these arguments, the pressure on the government to end the exemption for ultra-Orthodox Jews is growing. In 2014, a law was passed that aimed to gradually increase the number of ultra-Orthodox Jews serving in the military. However, progress on implementing this law has been slow, and many believe that more needs to be done to ensure that all Israelis share in the responsibility of defending the country.
The issue of military service for ultra-Orthodox Jews is likely to remain a contentious one in Israel for the foreseeable future. Finding a balance between promoting equality and respecting religious beliefs will be a difficult task for the government. However, with public pressure mounting, it seems likely that changes will need to be made to address this long-standing issue. Only time will tell how this debate will ultimately be resolved.