Israel-Hamas war: Ultra-Orthodox men sent draft notices for conscription in Israeli military

In light of the ongoing war with Hamas, the Israeli military on Sunday (Jul 21) issued draft notices to 1,000 members of the ultra-Orthodox community. The move is aimed at bolstering the army's ranks as the war drags on with no sign of a truce deal in sight. 

Following the first set of call-ups, notices for an initial total of 3,000 ultra-Orthodox conscripts are expected to be sent out in the coming weeks.

Notably, it was in June that the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the military must begin drafting ultra-Orthodox men, or Haredis, for the army. The ruling overturned a longstanding  practice under which Jewish seminary students are exempt from conscription. 

"At the height of a difficult war, the burden of inequality is more than ever acute," the court declared. 

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Could it destabilise Netanyahu? 

The move, however, is expected to rattle the Benjamin Netanyahu government. Two religious parties in Netanyahu's government have opposed the policy shift, further sending shivers down the foundation of a fragile coalition. 

Leaders belonging to the ultra-Orthodox community argue that placing seminary students forcefully to serve alongside secular Israelis including women risks destroying their identity as religious Jews.

Despite the risks, the Netanyahu administration accepted the court's order with Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announcing that the Haredis would be included by next month. 

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Gallant held an assessment on the matter with military Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and other officials before giving the green light. 

The Israeli military currently requires approximately 10,000 new soldiers but it can only house the enlistment of an additional 3,000 ultra-Orthodox this year due to their specific needs (which would be in addition to the 1,800 Haredi soldiers who are drafted annually).

The country's current law requires the majority of Jewish Israelis to enlist in the military at 18, serving for two years for women and three years for men.

The fight with Hamas has been raging for more than nine months after the terror outfit launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. There's a growing threat of war with Lebanon as well with both sides have launched missile attacks on each other in the last few days. 

(With inputs from agencies)