JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secured another reprieve in a long-running Israeli dispute over exemptions of ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service, with the Supreme Court on Thursday deferring the deadline for a new conscription plan to May 16.
The court extended the deadline to April 30 due to the government’s request during the Gaza war. Last week, the government sought another extension, citing ongoing priorities.
Netanyahu’s coalition relies on ultra-Orthodox parties, who see exemptions as vital to preserving their conservative values. They prioritize keeping constituents in religious seminaries over military service.
The latest extension is shorter than that requested by the government, but may still spare Netanyahu a public reckoning over the combustible issue ahead of Israel’s day of commemoration for fallen soldiers on May 13, and Independence Day on May 14.
Both national holidays are expected to be especially fraught this year, amid an open-ended war in Gaza and knock-on fighting on other fronts that have exacted the worst Israeli casualties – mostly among teenaged draftees and reservists – in decades.
The Israeli conscription feud underscores deep-rooted divisions within Israeli society regarding the role of religion in the military and broader societal structures.
As the Israeli government faces yet another deadline in the conscription feud, the pressure mounts to find a sustainable solution that accommodates the needs and concerns of all parties involved. Failure to address the issue effectively risks exacerbating social rifts and undermining the nation’s cohesion.
Therefore, constructive dialogue and compromise are essential to navigate this complex issue and forge a path toward greater inclusivity and unity within Israeli society.
read more
image source
