The current government in Israel faces potential instability as members of the ruling coalition express opposition to a proposed law that would increase exemptions for Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) individuals from military service, according to Hebrew media reports. At least six lawmakers from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party have privately stated that they will not support the planned bill, which seeks to lower the age at which Haredi men can obtain permanent exemptions from army conscription.
Tally Gotliv, a Likud MK, openly declared her opposition to the draft law in its current form, arguing that it doesn’t make sense to grant exemptions to individuals studying at a yeshiva for only three years. The resistance to the bill reportedly extends beyond Likud to other non-Haredi coalition parties, including the far-right Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit.
Conversely, the two Haredi parties in the coalition, United Torah Judaism (UTJ) and Shas, have threatened to topple the government if the draft law is not passed quickly. UTJ chief Yitzhak Goldknopf stated that these parties would vote against any judicial overhaul bill until the draft law is approved, potentially jeopardizing the government’s stability.
The proposed draft law aims to lower the age for permanent exemption from military service from the current 26 to 23 or 21. Currently, many Haredi yeshiva students obtain academic deferments and delay their military service until they reach an age at which they can be permanently exempt. Lowering the exemption age is seen as an attempt to encourage Haredi men to enter the workforce at a younger age.
However, objections to the draft law have been voiced not only within the coalition but also from top military officials. IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi reiterated the importance of a conscription model that includes all citizens, emphasizing the need for conscription from various segments of Israeli society.
The draft law issue has the potential to create significant divisions within the coalition and may lead to early elections, highlighting the challenges facing the government on this contentious issue.