Israeli court blocks subsidies for ultra-Orthodox who do not serve in army

Israel’s Supreme Court has made a groundbreaking decision, ordering an end to state funding for ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students who do not serve in the army. This ruling could potentially jeopardize Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership, as the government now faces a deadline to come up with a new military conscription plan.

Pressure has been mounting on Netanyahu from his ultra-Orthodox coalition partners, as well as from centrist members of his Cabinet who have expressed frustration over the exemptions given to the ultra-Orthodox community. While most Jewish men in Israel are required to serve in the military, exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox have long been a point of tension.

In response to the court’s ruling, Netanyahu has asked for an extension to establish a new plan for conscription. However, the court has not immediately responded to his request. The interim order from the Supreme Court blocks funding for yeshiva students who have not served in the military, sparking further debate on the issue.

The decision comes at a time when tensions are already high in Israel, with more than 32,000 people killed in the country’s offensive in Gaza. Benny Gantz, a prominent figure in Israeli politics, has welcomed the court’s decision on yeshiva funding and urged the government to take action.

The ultra-Orthodox community argues that conscription threatens their way of life and religious beliefs, while a recent poll indicates that a majority of Israelis want changes to the exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox in military service. As the government grapples with this complex issue, all eyes will be on Netanyahu and his administration to see how they navigate this challenging situation.