Israeli lawmakers vote to advance legislation that would allow most ultra-Orthodox Jewish men to avoid military conscription, even as protests oppose the measure. Both outlets report that lawmakers push the bill forward despite strong resistance, and they describe ongoing domestic tensions over who is required to serve.
The issue centers on longstanding exemptions for ultra-Orthodox communities, which have historically received broad deferments from military service. However, both sources note that Israel’s Supreme Court has challenged these arrangements in recent years. In 2024, the court rules that the government must conscript ultra-Orthodox men, prompting renewed political efforts to reshape the legal framework.
Courthouse News also links the backlash to growing hostility among parts of the public as a result of repeated reservist call-ups since the war that follows the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023. In this context, opposition protests target the perceived impact of exemptions on military staffing and fairness. The bill’s next steps and final outcome depend on further parliamentary procedures.
