On April 11, 2024, the Attorney General of Israel stated there is 'no legal basis' for continuing to exempt ultra-Orthodox Jewish men from serving in the IDF, amid widespread protests in Jerusalem against a potential new draft law. This stance is supported by an Israeli minister who, in light of Hamas's October 7 attack, argued there's no longer a 'moral' justification for such exemptions, challenging a long-standing community taboo. The potential shift in conscription policy has sparked significant unrest, threatening to split Prime Minister Netanyahu's coalition as of April 12, 2024. Demonstrations in Jerusalem saw thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews protesting the government's draft policies, with some scuffles reported between protesters and police. The situation is further complicated by over 100 IDF recruits declining service calls, as tensions with Iran escalate. Meanwhile, the rise in ultra-Orthodox military volunteers could potentially ease the crisis, despite the protests from more secular Israelis who feel burdened by the current conscription disparities.
Can Israel's ultra-Orthodox military volunteers help defuse the battle over conscription? https://t.co/01bgdpuymO
A military waiver for Israel's ultra-Orthodox Jewish community sparked protests by more secular Israelis, angry that they are shouldering the risk of fighting the war in Gaza. Rising numbers of ultra-Orthodox volunteers might ease the crisis https://t.co/BKfEnQEm13 @DanWilliams https://t.co/ApovaCVgub
⚠️ CAN ISRAEL'S ULTRA-ORTHODOX MILITARY VOLUNTEERS HELP DEFUSE THE BATTLE OVER CONSCRIPTION? Full Story → https://t.co/b6HLoELiUp https://t.co/V5qsTVh7Kl
Over 100 #IDF Recruits Decline Service Call | Israeli Military Faces Challenges As Iran Set To Launch Attack Any Time Now? | #TNDIGITALVIDEOS https://t.co/wXX2jPckLQ
Morning Update: Israel’s potential shift on conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews threatens to split Netanyahu coalition https://t.co/r5h3ZxMynh
A congregant once described a Hareidi anti-draft protest as "Thousand of Hareidim Protest for Other Jews to Die on their Behalf$ https://t.co/dNW4fuWFKx
Ultra-Orthodox minister breaks ranks, says some Haredi youth must be drafted https://t.co/cam2L8O5My
Protesters in Jerusalem scuffled with police during a demonstration in which thousands of Ultra-Orthodox men rallied over a new draft law that could end their exemptions from military service. https://t.co/9kcwaNNGcD
Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews protested the Israeli government's draft policies on Thursday. https://t.co/JQfMZ3F23V
Israel’s potential shift on conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews threatens to split Netanyahu coalition https://t.co/Lz7UYPMXhK
An Israeli minister said that after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, there was no longer a "moral" justification to exempt ultra-Orthodox Jewish men from army service, breaking a long-standing taboo within his community. https://t.co/erb41HR9pt
An #Israeli minister says that after Hamas’s October 7 attack, there is no longer a “moral” justification to exempt ultra-Orthodox Jewish men from army service, breaking a long-standing taboo within his community. https://t.co/4CpAAa2Cy4
An Israeli minister said Thursday that after Hamas's October 7 attack, there was no longer a 'moral' justification to exempt ultra-Orthodox Jewish men from army service, breaking a long-standing taboo within his religious community 🇮🇱 ➡️ https://t.co/mtwJBWJfpH https://t.co/k6IVeJa5q8
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men demonstrated against a haredi draft into the IDF in Jerusalem on April 11, 2024.  📷: @israelphoto https://t.co/XLdRfXfKHm
AG to government: ‘No legal basis’ for continuing to exempt Haredim from IDF https://t.co/p4BtbriTyE