Crisis Deepens in Israel as Debate Over Ultra-Orthodox Conscription Bill Intensifies

Sat Dec 20 2025 13:47:52 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Tensions rise in Israel over a controversial bill aimed at drafting ultra-Orthodox men into military service, as public opinion shifts and protests erupt.

Israel faces a potential crisis as lawmakers debate a draft bill to end the exemption for ultra-Orthodox men enrolled in religious studies. Only a small fraction of issued draft notices have resulted in enlistment. Public support for conscription is growing amidst rising tensions and protests, challenging the identity of the Jewish state.

An impending crisis over conscripting ultra-Orthodox Jews into the Israeli army is threatening to undermine Israel's government and split the country.

Public opinion on the issue has shifted dramatically in Israel after two years of war, and this is now perhaps the most explosive political risk facing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Lawmakers are currently considering a draft bill to end the exemption granted to ultra-Orthodox men enrolled in full-time religious study, established when the State of Israel was declared in 1948.

That exemption was ruled illegal by Israel's High Court of Justice almost 20 years ago. Temporary arrangements to continue it were formally ended by the court last year, forcing the government to begin drafting the community.

Some 24,000 draft notices were issued last year, but only around 1,200 ultra-Orthodox - or Haredi - draftees reported for duty, according to military testimony given to lawmakers.

Tensions are erupting onto the streets, with lawmakers now debating a new draft bill to force ultra-Orthodox men into military service alongside other Israeli Jews.

Two Haredi politicians were targeted this month by extreme ultra-Orthodox protesters, who are furious with parliament's discussion of the proposed law.

Last week, a special Border Police unit had to rescue Military Police officers who were targeted by a large crowd of Haredi men as they attempted to arrest a suspected draft-evader.

In response to these arrests, a new messaging system called Black Alert has been created to quickly communicate within ultra-Orthodox communities to summon protesters to prevent further arrests.

The push to conscript more ultra-Orthodox also triggered a vast protest by tens of thousands of Haredi men in Jerusalem last month - with the issue seen by many as part of a wider conflict around the identity of the Jewish state and the role of religion within it.

Support for ultra-Orthodox conscription is on the rise, boasting backing from 85% of non-Haredi Jews according to recent polls. As the political landscape shifts, Netanyahu faces the challenge of balancing his governing coalition and addressing public demands for service equity.