Softened Draft Bill for Ultra-Orthodox Conscription Sparks Political Turmoil in Israel

A newly proposed law to conscript ultra-Orthodox Jewish men — whose parliamentary support is vital to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s fragile coalition — has reignited a contentious national debate. The revised draft significantly softens enforcement compared with an earlier proposal and has drawn sharp criticism from opponents who say it preserves a de facto exemption dating back to Israel’s founding.

What the draft proposes

The draft, presented by Boaz Bismuth, chair of the Knesset's cross-party Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, reduces enlistment quotas and eases the path for exemptions for men studying in yeshivas (religious seminaries). Penalties for refusing to serve are minimal: restrictions on international travel and on obtaining a driving licence are among the few sanctions outlined.

Political stakes

The ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) population makes up roughly 14% of Israel’s Jewish population. Keeping ultra-Orthodox parties aligned with Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition remains essential for its survival. In July, the United Torah Judaism party left the government in protest over an earlier, tougher conscription bill; Shas ministers also resigned from the cabinet, though Shas has not formally exited the coalition. As a result, the government currently controls 60 of the 120 Knesset seats.

Opposition and public reaction

Critics from across the political spectrum have condemned the new text. The centre-right press called it “conscription on paper only,” arguing it will not substantially increase recruitment. Opposition leader Yair Lapid denounced the bill as an "anti-Zionist disgrace," while former prime minister Naftali Bennett described it as "a declaration of war by the government on the reservists." Supporters, including Bismuth, call the proposal "balanced" and "responsible."

Legal and security context

The issue has long divided Israeli society. Since 1948, men who devote themselves full-time to religious study have effectively been exempt from mandatory military service. That exemption was challenged in the early 2000s, and in June 2024 Israel’s Supreme Court ruled that the state must draft ultra-Orthodox men, declaring the exemption had expired. On November 19 the court ordered the government to present an effective conscription plan, citing a "flagrant inequality" that has worsened since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.

The military estimates it needs roughly 12,000 additional soldiers — a shortfall the court said ultra-Orthodox conscription could help fill. Currently, only about 2% of ultra-Orthodox men respond to conscription orders; the army has created specialized units to accommodate those who do serve. Local reports put Israel’s ultra-Orthodox population at about 1.3 million, with roughly 66,000 men of military age benefiting from the exemption — a record number.

Next steps

Lawmakers are scheduled to debate the revised text next week. The opposition has vowed to oppose the draft, and ultra-Orthodox parties have warned they may bring down the government if promised exemptions are not upheld. The debate is likely to remain a flashpoint in Israeli politics, balancing legal rulings, security needs and the fragile arithmetic of coalition governance.