The Minister of Defense of Israel, Yoav Gallant, addressed the Knesset on Monday, stating that the Armed Forces are in need of 10,000 new recruits. However, only 3,000 recruits are guaranteed due to the Supreme Court’s decision to withdraw the exemption from military service for the ultra-Orthodox population. Gallant explained during a closed-door session with the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that managing the enlistment of ultra-Orthodox individuals through government decree would be preferable to passing a law in parliament. He also mentioned that an agreement with the ultra-Orthodox to increase the enlistment quota by 5 percent annually had not been finalized due to disagreements over the regulations.
The Supreme Court’s decision to lift the exemption last week put an end to a contentious process within Israel, leading the Prosecutor’s Office to order the immediate call-up of 3,000 ultra-Orthodox individuals. This move has caused significant tensions within the country.
Overall, the efforts to increase recruitment within the Armed Forces and address the issue of exemption for the ultra-Orthodox population have sparked debate and controversy in Israel. The process of managing enlistment and reaching agreements with different groups remains complex and ongoing.