Israel Plans Draft of 54,000 Ultra-Orthodox Students After Court Ruling

Israel's military is set to issue 54,000 draft notices to ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students following a Supreme Court ruling that overturned their longstanding exemption from conscription. This exemption, originally established when the ultra-Orthodox community was smaller than its current 13% population share, has been revoked amid increasing military demands due to multiple ongoing conflicts involving Hamas, Hezbollah, and others. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have committed to respecting the religious lifestyle of these recruits by creating specialized units and support programs to aid their integration, while also emphasizing stricter enforcement against draft evasion. Ultra-Orthodox political leaders have expressed concerns that serving alongside secular Israelis, including women, could threaten their religious identity. The draft notices are expected to be sent starting this month, as legislative efforts continue within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition to find compromises addressing these tensions. This policy change reflects the IDF's urgent need to replenish its forces amid extended military engagements and societal debates over conscription.