Israel's Supreme Court Shakes Netanyahu's Coalition: Ultra-Orthodox Draft

Israel's Supreme Court ruled that ultra-Orthodox men must be drafted for military service, challenging the longstanding exemption. This decision could destabilize Prime Minister Netanyahu's coalition, which relies on support from ultra-Orthodox parties. The ruling aims to address manpower shortages in the ongoing Gaza conflict and uphold legal equality.

In a landmark ruling, Israel's Supreme Court has unanimously decided that ultra-Orthodox men must be drafted for military service, a verdict likely to disrupt Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition as the conflict in Gaza continues.

The court asserted that the absence of a legal distinction between Jewish seminary students and other citizens mandates that ultra-Orthodox men should serve, similar to their peers. This ruling challenges the longstanding exemptions that have fueled secular public resentment, especially as the war in Gaza stretches into its ninth month.

The politically influential ultra-Orthodox parties, crucial allies in Netanyahu's government, have strongly opposed changes to the current system. With military casualties surging past 600 soldiers, the court's decision emerges as a significant development, potentially compelling these parties to reconsider their coalition membership, risking the government's collapse.