Hello John and Doves,
The ultra-Orthodox Jews have been exempt from
serving in the Israeli military - but that could change
soon. The Israeli government is suppose to present
proposals to the Supreme Court concerning a new draft
policy. The Israeli military needs new recruits as
tensions continue to rise with Muslim neighbors.
"A stunning
Israeli Supreme Court order freezing funding for
ultra-Orthodox yeshivas unless their students enlist in
the military could rupture Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu's right-wing coalition as the war with Hamas
rages on."
"The Israeli government has until Monday to present
a new national conscription plan, following Thursday's
order affirming a 2018 high court ruling that found the
current system, which historically has exempted
ultra-Orthodox Jews from service, is discriminatory."
"A large majority of Israelis seen their exemption
from military service as unfair."
Netanyahu asked the court for a 30-day extension to
try to come up with a compromise. The ultra-Orthodox
"make up 13% of Israel's population." As of this
article, no response has been given concerning this delay.
This exemption policy has been a real sticking point
for Netanyahu's coalition.
The Ultra-Orthodox parties "had been promised
decades-long exemption from the nation's military draft
would be made permanent, slammed the court's decision as a
"mark of Cain."
The rest of this coalition believes the need for
more troops is critical as Israel continues with this war
against Hamas and the growing threat of Hezbollah in
Lebanon.
IF the
ultra-Orthodox members leave the government because of a
new draft policy, this "would trigger a new election at
a time when Netanyahu has taken a tumble in the polls."
The ultra-Orthodox students have "been allowed to
study Torah full time and receive government
stipends." Tens of thousands of Israelis have been
called to duty and over 500 soldiers have been
killed. (These stipends will be suspended this
Monday.)
The Obama-Biden administration would love to see
Netanyahu gone as PM of Israel. Their CIA is
probably instigating even more resentment.
All of this is going on while Netanyahu's government
is in the middle of a stand off with the Obama-Biden
administration. This started when Washington did not
veto a resolution for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza by
the U.N. Security Council.
"Netanyahu's position remains dependent on
holding together his coalition with hard-right religious
nationalist parties that are resolutely opposed
to any let-up in the war or any concession to
international demands for a broad-based political
settlement with the Palestinians."
The United Torah Judaism party and the Shas party
both denounced the court ruling. And Netanyahu's AG
said she "saw no legal basis for deferring the
ultra-Orthodox conscriptions."
13% of the Israeli population is ultra-Orthodox and
this number is "expected to reach 19% by 2035."
"Economists argue that the waiver from the draft keeps
some unnecessarily in seminaries and out of the workforce,
spelling a growing welfare burden for middle-class
taxpayers. The 21% Arab population in Israel is
"mostly exempt from the draft...".
It seems Israel has had quiet a few 'fragile'
governments for several years in a row now. And
Netanyahu has often come out the PM. Does God still
have use for Bibi as PM of Israel or is someone else
rising to this position? We'll see if Netanyahu gets
his extension or there will be new conscription laws very
soon which could end his power.
Very interesting timing with everything else going
on this Spring.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
Maranatha!
Chance