Israel’s parliament on Wednesday voted to begin drafting large numbers of ultra—Orthodox men into the military, moving to end a contentious system that enraged many liberal Israelis by allowing young seminary students to evade army service.
The legislation sought to resolve an issue at the heart of a heated culture war in Israel. The issue of draft exemptions goes back to the times around Israel’s establishment in 1948, when the government allowed several hundred gifted students to pursue religious studies. The number of exemptions has grown over the years, with thousands of young religious men evading the draft to pursue seminary studies while most other Jewish men are conscripted for three years of mandatory service.
The exemptions have caused widespread resentment toward the ultra—Orthodox and were a central issue in parliamentary elections last year. Two parties that vowed to change the system, “Jewish Home” and “Yesh Atid,” scored strong gains and now sit in the center—right government.
“The change begins tomorrow morning and it is expected to transform the face of Israeli society,” said Yaakov Peri, a Cabinet minister from Yesh Atid, who helped spearhead the new legislation.
The ultra—Orthodox make up nearly 10 per cent of Israel’s 8 million people. Leaders insist their young men serve the nation through prayer and study, thus preserving Jewish learning and heritage. Religious leaders have said the run—up to Wednesday’s vote bordered on anti—religious incitement, and rallied opposition to the measure.
In a sign of their dismay, a number of ultra—Orthodox lawmakers stormed out during a speech by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the parliament on Wednesday, ahead of an address by visiting British Prime Minister David Cameron. The lawmakers returned to the chamber after Mr. Netanyahu finished speaking.
Itzhak Vaknin, a lawmaker from the ultra—Orthodox Shas Party, said he objected to the law because it includes criminal charges for those who do not obey.
Beyond the claims of fairness, proponents of the law say it is an essential step toward integrating the religious sector into the workforce. Many ultra—Orthodox men continue their full—time religious studies into adulthood, collecting welfare payments and other subsidies.
A high unemployment rate has led to widespread poverty in the ultra—Orthodox sector. Israel’s central bank and international organizations have warned the country’s economic future is in danger if the religious do not join the workforce in bigger numbers.
The draft issue is part of a broader debate about the role of religion in Israel.
The ultra—Orthodox have also come under fire for attempting at times to impose their conservative values, such as separation of men and women, on the broader population. Ultra—Orthodox rabbinical authorities also hold a monopoly over rituals such as weddings and burials, drawing criticism from liberal or secular Jews who object to their strict standards.
The law does not impose universal conscription. Instead, the army will be required to draft an increasing number of ultra—Orthodox Jews each year, with the goal of enlisting 5,200 ultra—Orthodox soldiers roughly 60 percent of those of draft age by mid—2017. Israel would grant financial incentives to religious seminaries that send their students to the army.
If the ultra—Orthodox community does not meet that quota, then law calls for mandatory service for ultra—Orthodox Jews and criminal sanctions for draft—dodgers.
If it does meet the targets, the government would be obliged to set higher ones for the following three years, said Inna Dolzhansky, spokeswoman for Yesh Atid lawmaker Ofer Shelah.
Some secular groups complained that the legislation does not go far enough, since it will take three years to fully go into effect and because it falls short of the near—universal conscription required of other Israeli men.
“The law as it is written today will not lessen inequality. It will only heighten it,” said Zohara Tzoor, from the Forum to Share the Burden, one of two groups that appealed Wednesday to Israel’s Supreme Court to overturn the law
Wednesday’s vote passed 67—1 in the 120—member Knesset. Opposition lawmakers all 52 of them were absent, boycotting the vote to protest what they say are strong—arm tactics by the ruling coalition to push through a series of laws in parliament this week.
