Israel's Defense Minister Approves The Preparation Of The Military Mandatory Ultra-Orthodox Bill That Triggers Waves Of Protests

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant/PHOTO via Instagram @yoav.gallant

JAKARTA - Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant approved plans to start recruiting ultra-Orthodox Jews into the military. A demonstration over the Supreme Court's decision regarding Ultra-Orthodox was held some time ago.

This move is likely to further worsen relations in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's split far-right coalition.

Its government relies on two ultra-Orthodox parties that consider mandatory military exemptions the key to keeping their constituents in religious seminaries and leaving the army group that may test their traditional customs.

Their political leaders strongly opposed mandatory military service as Israeli soldiers sought to strengthen their ranks amid a nine-month war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

After discussions with top military officials, Gallant approved their recommendation for the first call of ultra-Orthodox people to the military in the coming month, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The order is for initial screening and evaluation to determine new candidate members, he said. Initial calls were given to Israelis when they were over 16 years old and they usually start military service at the age of 18.

Israeli citizens are bound by law to serve in the military for 24-32 months.

Most of the 21 percent of the Arab minority members in Israel are excluded, although some are on duty, and most of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students have also been excluded for decades.

But Israel's Supreme Court last month ruled the country should start incorporating ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students into the military.

The long-standing military appeal to the ultra-Orthodox group has sparked protests in recent months by Israelis who are angry that the risk of fighting in Gaza is not covered evenly. Meanwhile, ultra-Orthodox protesters have blocked the streets under the flag "dead before military service".