12.05.2025 00:24
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to draft Ultra-Orthodox Jews who are exempt from mandatory military service if they receive education in Torah courses within two years. Accordingly, 10,500 Ultra-Orthodox Jews will be called up for military service.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a decision to draft Ultra-Orthodox Jews (Haredi) who are exempt from mandatory military service if they receive education in Torah courses (Yeshiva) during a meeting with the Israeli Parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee yesterday.
10,500 ULTRA-ORTHODOX JEWS TO BE DRAFTED WITHIN 2 YEARS
Israeli state television KAN reported that Netanyahu stated, "This will be the first time. Until now, no one has succeeded. The number the army can accommodate within 2 years is 10,500." It was also emphasized that Netanyahu has decided to impose heavy sanctions on Haredim who oppose military service and Torah schools.
BOYCOTT IN PARLIAMENT BY HAREDİ COALITION PARTNERS
Ultra-Orthodox parties, which are coalition partners of the government in Israel, conveyed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today that they will continue their decision to boycott parliamentary votes due to the lack of legal regulation regarding the exemption of those receiving education in Torah courses (Yeshiva) from military service.
THREAT TO WITHDRAW FROM GOVERNMENT
On May 5, Shas and United Torah Judaism, which decided to boycott parliamentary votes, threatened that they could withdraw from the government at the end of the legislative period if no legal regulation is made to exempt Haredi students in Torah schools from military service.
DEBATE ON EXEMPTION OF HAREDİ FROM MILITARY SERVICE
The Israeli Supreme Court ruled on June 25 that there is no legal basis for exempting Haredi men from mandatory military service and that those suitable for military service should be drafted. Defense Minister Yisrael Katz approved the decision to call up 7,000 Haredim for military service on November 15, and the Israeli army announced in January that disciplinary action would be initiated against Haredim who resist serving despite being called up according to the orders given.
Haredim, who adhere to the Ultra-Orthodox Jewish faith, were exempt from military service if they received education in Torah courses (Yeshiva) until the age of 26. According to Israeli laws, everyone over the age of 18 is required to perform mandatory military service, while the exemption of Haredim from military service has been a topic of debate in the country for years.
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