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Israeli society fractured due to military exemption on Haredi Jews
Exemptions to being conscripted in Israel, like those given the Haredi ultra-Orthodox Jews, are putting “a lot of pressure on Israeli society”, military analyst Elijah Magnier says.
“This shared burden [to join the military] is really not shared. There is a part of society – around 15 percent – that can get away with it. So it is not only creating political tension but is also creating within Israeli society a friction where people need to serve, they leave their jobs, there is pressure on their families, and they have PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder],” Magnier told Al Jazeera.
“Already 10,000 soldiers and officers asked for medical and psychological attention because of this war.”
Ultra-Orthodox Jews have strongly opposed the idea of lifting their exemption, threatening to leave if such a bill passes.
Magnier added that 42 percent of those enrolled in the army, both professionals and reservists, “don’t want to join the army again; they want to leave” due to the army’s performance and the confrontation with “a strong non-state actor determined not to lose”.
Israeli police disperse Ultra-Orthodox Jews blocking a highway during a protest against possible changes to regarding the laws for military drafts from which the ultra-Orthodox have traditionally received exemptions near Bnei Brak, Israel
Israel’s Lapid slams reserve bill extending age for military duty
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid says “shame is lost” after the Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved a bill raising the age when reservists may stop reporting for duty.
“The reservists and taxpayers are collapsing and Netanyahu and the extremists put the burden on them and continue to evade responsibility, and smile,” Lapid said on X. “The government has now approved the extension of the law increasing the burden on the reserve servants. The meaning: more years in the reserves! While the government promotes a mass evasion law for ultra-Orthodox youth,” he said, referring to legislation to lower the age for ultra-Orthodox Jews to be exempt from the draft.
He called on Netanyahu’s party to “stop the madness”, adding that it was “painful discrimination between blood and blood”.
“I support the reservists and their families. You are heroes, and we will do everything to be worthy of your heroism. The public should receive an exemption from this wicked government.”
Israeli government supports draft bill extending retirement age for reservists
The Israeli government has given its support to a draft bill extending the retirement age for reservists despite backlash from the Israeli public.
The bill, which has been backed by the defence ministry, calls for the extension of a temporary measure to raise the age for reservists. The measure was initially expected to end at the end of June. The Ministerial Committee for Legislation approves sending the legislation for a three-month extension to the Knesset, where it must pass three readings to become law.
But the decision has been negatively received. The decision to extend the service for reservists comes as the government has yet to draft the ultra-Orthodox Jews.
