Netanyahu Coalition in Crisis Over Religious Draft as War Rages
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
(Bloomberg) -- A dramatic Israeli Supreme Court ruling that freezes funding to ultra-Orthodox seminaries unless their students serve in the military is forcing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to contend with its survival as the war in Gaza deepens the country’s political divisions.
Ultra-Orthodox parties in the ruling coalition, who’d been assured that their decades-long immunity from conscription would be made permanent, were in a rage, calling the decision “a mark of Cain” and threatening to exit. Those in the center who joined the war cabinet last October backed the court, citing the need for more military manpower as Israel faces threats not only from Hamas in Gaza but also from Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Since the war, the burden of carrying the ultra-Orthodox has become unbearable for large majorities of Israelis who see their abstention from military service as unfair and a drain on the economy. In essence, the two Israeli crises of the past year — mass protests over the government’s plans to weaken judicial independence and the war in Gaza — have converged into the ultimate test for Netanyahu.
“The issue isn’t the Supreme Court,” said Benny Gantz, an opposition leader and war cabinet member who’s polling far ahead of Netanyahu. “The issue is our need for soldiers during a difficult war and our society’s need for everyone to take part in the privilege of serving the country.”
Fifteen months ago, Netanyahu formed the most right-wing and religious government in Israel’s history, promising the ultra-Orthodox, or Haredim, that he would cement their immunity from conscription.
LINK TO SEEDED ARTICLE: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/netanyahu-coalition-in-crisis-over-religious-draft-as-war-rages/ar-BB1kKGf5?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=01b28d040a364d4483267e11b17990af&ei=12
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Praise the Lord and pass the ammo.
It's about time those leeches support their country. They want to dictate how everyone in Israel should live, while not willing to send their children in its defense. Benny Gantz has it right.
A shocker to me was an interview the other day with one who said if they were forced into the military they would leave the country
Whoa, so the nonsense they spill about being orthodox Jews means nothing really and puts a whole other light on their illegal actions in the West Bank. It's nothing more than a grab for land and seems to have nothing to do with religion or their country.
In the US we have a conscientious objectors status for those whose religious beliefs prevent them from violence. There has to be a role these people can play to support the war effort.
From what I understand the current status is the only status that they will accept.
If they change the law, then jail or Canada for them LOL. I support religious freedom, but it is everyone's responsibility to serve how they can when called.
agreed
I used to have a neighbor that was a Mennonite. He claimed CO status during Vietnam but still served his country by working in a VA hospital. The Amish won't serve at all but Mennonites don't shirk their civic duty
I did not know that about the Mennonites, Trout thanks for the information.