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| Israel Restricts Exemptions From Military Service | Israel Restricts Exemptions From Military Service |
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| JERUSALEM — After years of heated public debate and political wrangling, the Israeli Parliament on Wednesday approved landmark legislation that aims to phase out blanket exemptions from military service for ultra-Orthodox students at yeshivas, or religious seminaries. | JERUSALEM — After years of heated public debate and political wrangling, the Israeli Parliament on Wednesday approved landmark legislation that aims to phase out blanket exemptions from military service for ultra-Orthodox students at yeshivas, or religious seminaries. |
| The issue has become a social and political lightning rod in Israel, where Jewish 18-year-olds are conscripted for up to three years, with mainstream Israelis displaying growing resentment over benefits granted for decades to members of the ultra-Orthodox community who choose to engage in full-time study of the Torah. | |
| Ultra-Orthodox leaders argue that Torah study should be a priority in Israel, a country that defines itself as the Jewish state, and that the yeshiva students perform a spiritual duty that is also crucial for protecting the country. On March 2, hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox, known as Haredim, or those who fear God, brought much of Jerusalem to a standstill with a mass prayer gathering to protest the legislation. | Ultra-Orthodox leaders argue that Torah study should be a priority in Israel, a country that defines itself as the Jewish state, and that the yeshiva students perform a spiritual duty that is also crucial for protecting the country. On March 2, hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox, known as Haredim, or those who fear God, brought much of Jerusalem to a standstill with a mass prayer gathering to protest the legislation. |
| But many Israelis view military service for the ultra-Orthodox minority and its subsequent integration into the work force as crucial for the country’s economy and viability. In the streets and at the ballot box, they have been demanding a more equitable sharing of the burdens of citizenship. The ultra-Orthodox sector, known as Haredim, now makes up about 10 percent of the population and is growing rapidly. | |
| “This is a historic and important law,” said Ayelet Shaked, a legislator from the right-wing Jewish Home party who led the committee that worked on the final draft of the legislation. “For 65 years, there was an almost sweeping exemption for yeshiva students, but the coalition has presented an amendment that is proportional, gradual and proper.” | “This is a historic and important law,” said Ayelet Shaked, a legislator from the right-wing Jewish Home party who led the committee that worked on the final draft of the legislation. “For 65 years, there was an almost sweeping exemption for yeshiva students, but the coalition has presented an amendment that is proportional, gradual and proper.” |
| Moshe Gafni of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party, which sits in the opposition, said, “Today Israel lost the right to be called a Jewish state,” according to Ynet, a Hebrew news site. He said that the Haredi public “will not forget or forgive” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his associates. Mr. Netanyahu and the Haredi parties were once political allies. | Moshe Gafni of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party, which sits in the opposition, said, “Today Israel lost the right to be called a Jewish state,” according to Ynet, a Hebrew news site. He said that the Haredi public “will not forget or forgive” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his associates. Mr. Netanyahu and the Haredi parties were once political allies. |
| The law passed in the 120-seat Parliament by 65 to 1 in its third reading. A further amendment dealing with civilian national service passed by 67 to 1. The opposition boycotted the votes because of what it called unfair and undemocratic political dealing within the governing coalition as it moved to pass this and two other contentious bills this week. | The law passed in the 120-seat Parliament by 65 to 1 in its third reading. A further amendment dealing with civilian national service passed by 67 to 1. The opposition boycotted the votes because of what it called unfair and undemocratic political dealing within the governing coalition as it moved to pass this and two other contentious bills this week. |
| The law sets annual quotas for the drafting of yeshiva students for military or national service and holds open the threat of criminal penalties against those who evade the draft if the quotas are not met by mid-2017 — an element that has particularly enraged ultra-Orthodox opponents of the legislation. | The law sets annual quotas for the drafting of yeshiva students for military or national service and holds open the threat of criminal penalties against those who evade the draft if the quotas are not met by mid-2017 — an element that has particularly enraged ultra-Orthodox opponents of the legislation. |
| But the law stops far short of enforcing conscription for all young Haredi men. The quotas call for a gradual and modest increase in recruitment levels and the law allows for 1,800 exemptions each year for outstanding Torah students. Until now, ultra-Orthodox men had to be registered in a yeshiva full-time to qualify for an exemption. The new law will immediately free thousands of men to enter the work force. | |
| Critics say it does not come close to equalizing the burden and plan to petition the Supreme Court to nullify the law on the grounds that it contradicts the principle of equality. | Critics say it does not come close to equalizing the burden and plan to petition the Supreme Court to nullify the law on the grounds that it contradicts the principle of equality. |