What it’s about
The High Court of Justice’s ruling highlighted the need for the Israeli government to implement the National Service Law, mandating every 18-year-old Israeli to report for military service. However, the court refrained from laying down specifics on enforcing haredi enlistment into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Why it matters
For over 25 years, the matter of integrating haredim (ultra-Orthodox Jews) into the IDF has remained unresolved, creating a long-standing inequality between non-haredi and haredi Jewish Israelis. Addressing this issue is crucial to foster unity and shared responsibility within Israeli society, especially in times of ongoing conflict.
The Big Picture
The attorneys during the court hearing advocated for a precedent-setting ruling, likening it to the historic 1996 decision enabling Alice Miller to apply for the Israeli Air Force’s prestigious Pilot’s Course. They argued that similar action could pave the way for haredi integration into the army and wider Israeli society.
Despite these pleas, the court didn’t take concrete steps to enforce haredi enlistment. While setting such guidelines might appear wise, predominantly due to the court’s limited enforcement power, the result is a continuation of the current status quo.
Government’s Stance
Although the government might not completely ignore the ruling, the indications from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud suggest a strategy of drafting a new law tailored to appease the haredim without confronting the entrenched inequality. Likely, this approach will lead to subsequent legal challenges and potential overturns by the High Court, continuing the cycle.
This cycle has repeated twice already since 1998 when the blanket haredi exemption was declared unconstitutional, and there’s no assurance it will change this time around either.
Looking Ahead
Commitments or actions from influential figures such as Defense Minister Yoav Gallant could potentially initiate real change, ensuring the IDF begins drafting haredim in significant numbers. Possible new legislation from prominent leaders might also contribute toward addressing the imbalance between non-haredi and haredi service within the IDF.
The ruling represents a critical juncture. There’s hope and potential that more haredim will voluntarily join the IDF given the security circumstances and judicial push, striving for greater unity and fairness in Israeli society.
Final Thought
Ultimately, it boils down to the trust Israelis must place in their government—dependent on haredi parties—to finally resolve this decades-old issue. The question remains whether the current administration, with its intricate political bindings, will rise to the occasion and bring an end to over two decades of prolonged unevenness in IDF service.
Related Tags
IDF, Ultra-Orthodox, High Court of Justice, haredim
This story was first published on jpost.com.