A utra-Orthodox Jewish man at the Israeli army recruitment office, in Jerusalem, 25 June 2024. Israeli Supreme Court panel of judges unanimously ruled that the state should recruit ultra-Orthodox Jews into the army, , a decision that could lead to the collapse of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahus governing coalition as Israel continues to wage war in Gaza. EPA-EFE/ABIR SULTANIsrael's Supreme Court ruled last month that the defence ministry must end the longstanding exemption for ultra-Orthodox Jews from mandatory military service.
Speaking in the Israeli parliament, Gallant said the plan was to send out thousands of draft notices, though not all served with such notices would end up serving.
The fractious coalition government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu relies on two ultra-Orthodox parties who oppose the end of the exemption. However, the armed forces say they need more recruits to keep Israel safe and sustain the war against the Hamas militant group in Gaza.
(Reporting by Christian Lowe and Lianne Back)
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