The Israel Defense Forces sent conscription sheets to members of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community today. 

The aim is to strengthen their forces, as they are at war on two fronts, in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

In June, Israel’s Supreme Court ruled that the Defence Ministry cannot exempt all students of Talmudic schools from compulsory military service, a measure that has been in place since the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, when the community of ultra-Orthodox Jews was very small.

As the war against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon continues, Israel’s Defense Ministry announced Friday that 7,000 ultra-Orthodox Jews will be gradually drafted from Sunday to serve in the army.

In its statement, the ministry stressed that it will work with community leaders to ensure that the ultra-Orthodox can maintain their religious lifestyle during their term.

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In July, the Israeli army called for 1,000 ultra-Orthodox men. However, two religious parties in the coalition under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly oppose conscription of the ultra-Orthodox, an issue causing tension in the government.

Leaders of the fast-growing ultra-Orthodox community complain that if students at talmudic schools are forced to serve in the army along with other Israelis, including women, they risk losing their identity.

On the other hand, the government is under increasing pressure from reservists, many of whom have been serving in the army for most of the past year, to enlist ultra-Orthodox men as well.

Israel’s Kan radio station reported on Sunday (11/17) that rabbis are calling on ultra-Orthodox who received conscription papers to refuse to report to the army.

Source: AMNA

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