Haredi draft
The issue of haredim (ultra-Orthodox Jews) in Israel not serving in the IDF has been a contentious topic for decades.
In the current status quo established in the early days of the State of Israel, haredi yeshiva students have an exemption from serving in the IDF or partaking in Sherut Leumi (national service). However, this has caused many others in Israel to feel there is an unfair distribution of the burden of serving the country. Coupled with the low employment rates for haredim in Israel, and this has led to widespread tension against ultra-Orthodox Israelis.
The courts have ruled that the current exemption for haredim not to serve in the army is illegal and efforts to resolve the issue are still ongoing.
Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef's attacks on Edelstein ignore his sacrifices for Judaism - opinion
Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef seems to ignore who Yuli Edelstein really is: someone who physically risked his life for the observance of Torah and mitzvot.
How the Iran war impacted Israel's haredi conscription debate - opinion
Netanyahu's Likud to remove Edelstein from key committee over haredi draft fallout
With the haredi parties out of gov't, future of haredi draft bill unclear - analysis
'We failed, made a mistake' on judicial reform, haredi draft bill deal, UTJ's Goldknopf says
UTJ was told to support the judicial reform as it would allow for a "basic law of Torah study," and another law as an override clause, Yitzhak Goldknopf claimed in an interview with Kikar HaShabbat.
Will the Knesset recess open a window for a deal? Netanyahu’s political breathing room - analysis
The Knesset's upcoming recess will potentially give PM Benjamin Netanyahu time to broker a hostage deal and figure out a solution to the issue of the haredi draft law.
Haredi exit from gov't pushes Netanyahu forward in election polls, survey finds
In this scenario, neither bloc has enough seats to form a government. The current coalition holds 53 seats, while the opposition, plus Bennett, totals 57.
Netanyahu must take the lead on the haredi draft issue - opinion
Instead of showing leadership, Netanyahu spent Monday night pacing the Knesset, pleading with United Torah Judaism’s Moshe Gafni to retract his resignation.
'My conscience is clear': Why MK Yuli Edelstein won't settle for a soft haredi draft - interview
"This law ends the phenomenon of pretending to study Torah. To me, that’s a disgrace to the world of Torah," Edelstein told Maariv.
Smotrich worse than secular Jews, haredi MK Gafni says
"Without Torah students, we have no existence as a Jewish people. Without Torah students, the State of Israel cannot continue," Gafni commented, referring to the haredi draft law.
Deri to remain in Netanyahu's security cabinet, Shas's Arbel rescinds resignation
Arye Deri to remain in Netanyahu's security cabinet, despite Shas leaving government • Interior Minister Moshe Arbel to stay in role to complete 'urgent tasks'
As Israel grieves, Netanyahu puts coalition deals ahead of national sacrifice - editorial
The IDF does not belong to one segment of society. The physical defense of the state cannot rest on the shoulders of some while others stand apart and watch.
Netanyahu, Smotrich visit IDF haredi brigade, praises soldiers' willingness to serve
Netanyahu, Smotrich, and senior defense officials, met with soldiers and commanders at the training facility and received a briefing on the brigade's operations.
Netanyahu offers to fire Edelstein for haredi parties staying in coalition
Edelstein called on haredi politicians to exhibit “national responsibility” and refrain from toppling the government over their insistence to exempt at least half of eligible haredim from IDF draft.
Shas spiritual council to rule on leaving Netanyahu gov't on Wednesday
The ultra-Orthodox party's council said that Wednesday's meeting comes in the wake of "severe and unacceptable harm to the status of Torah students.”
