Cabinet approves changes to Israel's draft law

Cabinet approves changes to Israel's draft law

JERUSALEM -- Israel's cabinet on Sunday approved changes to the country's draft law to increase conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men, putting an end to a decades-long exemption, but not the political debate surrounding the issue.
The twofold move aims to increase ultra-Orthodox participation in the military and other avenues of national service, and advance their integration into the Israeli workforce.
"This is an historic day," said Finance Minister Yair Lapid, adding that correcting the 65-year old "injustice" will benefit both the ultra-Orthodox, known as Haredim, and Israeli society at large.
Sunday's cabinet approval clears a significant hurdle, but changes still need to be approved by the Knesset, Israel's 120-seat parliament, and the matter remains a controversial in Israeli society. However, the measure appears likely to pass. A committee headed by Science Minister Yakov Peri worked on the amendment to the existing security service law for 10 weeks.
Changes include restricting the number of draft exemptions for Torah scholars and allowing deferred service only until the age of 21. Israel's military service law states that all Israeli citizens are to be drafted at age 18, including women. In practice, the state exempts many from service, most notably ultra-Orthodox Jews and the country's Arab minority, who may volunteer for service and do, in small numbers.

Looks like there is going to be quite a few unhappy people in Israel when they find out they have to join the military against their will. I wonder why they changed it it has been this way for decades. Could Israel be gearing up to attack Iran?

they need more warm bodies to continue their campaign of genocide and crimes against humanity ..

possibly even worrying a bit as the world starting to wake up and see them for what they are ...

Those guys are nuttier than christmas cake. I wouldn't want to serve next to someone who doesn't want to be there, and believes everything they are doing goes against their religious beliefs or bare minimum cause major conflict.

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This would be like sending Amish into the draft.

Their citizens can't hide behind religion anymore to avoid their military service. Good for them.

Nobody should be forced to join, no matter what country they are in.

Sounds like they got told they can serve their bit too. Everyone else has to in a compulsory service system like Israel, why not them? Now they can be just like everyone else. Fair is fair.

Just following tradition. During King David's reign, there were quite a lot of Israelites who had to serve in the military. If it's about not spilling innocent blood, the hands trying to kill you are no longer innocent when they are out for spilling your blood.