Israel to Draft Ultra-Orthodox Seminary Students Amidst Gaza Conflict

The Israeli military will begin issuing draft summons to ultra-Orthodox seminary students, ending their exemption from service. This decision comes amidst the conflict with Hamas in Gaza, increasing political strain for Prime Minister Netanyahu. The move has sparked protests among the ultra-Orthodox community, highlighting societal divisions.

The Israeli military will start issuing draft summons to ultra-Orthodox seminary students next week, effectively ending their exemption from service, the military announced on Tuesday. This sensitive issue arises amid the ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza and related fronts, which has resulted in the worst Israeli casualties in decades, primarily among secular draftees and reservists.

In June, Israel's Supreme Court required the government to draft ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students, adding new political pressures on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to an Israeli military statement, the initial summons orders for the first call-up will begin next Sunday, ahead of the July recruitment cycle.

Netanyahu's coalition includes two ultra-Orthodox parties that argue the exemptions are essential to keeping their constituents in religious seminaries and preventing exposure to the military's melting-pot culture that could challenge their conservative values. The mandate has led to protests from ultra-Orthodox Jews, who represent 13% of Israel's 10 million population—a number expected to rise to 19% by 2035. Their general support for wars contrasts with their historical refusal to serve, highlighting a longstanding societal schism.

Israel's 21% Arab minority is also mostly exempt from the draft, which usually conscripts men and women at age 18 for 32 months and 24 months, respectively.