A crucial agreement has been reached among Israel's ruling coalition, particularly among ultra-Orthodox parties, concerning the contentious issue of mandatory military service. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government fended off an opposition motion that sought to force early elections following increasing dissatisfaction among some coalition members. The proposal aimed to introduce conscription for ultra-Orthodox men, who traditionally receive exemptions. The consensus reflects the coalition's attempt to maintain stability amid pressures for military changes in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
I am pleased to announce that after long discussions we have reached agreements on the principles on which the draft law will be based, Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein said in a statement.
It's more than ever urgent to replace Netanyahu's government and specifically this toxic and harmful government, Labour's opposition lawmaker Merav Michaeli said ahead of the vote.
Military service is mandatory in Israel but under a ruling that dates to the country's creation, men who devote themselves full-time to the study of sacred Jewish texts are given a de facto pass.
Netanyahu is under pressure from his own Likud party to draft more ultra-Orthodox men and impose penalties on dodgers, a red line.
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