Ultra-Orthodox Parties Demand Conscription Law Before Supporting Any Government

A senior figure in the ultra-Orthodox parties has declared that his faction will not support the formation of any government unless a conscription law is passed first, emphasizing that this issue takes precedence over all others, including judicial reform. This strong stance comes amid renewed tensions over the military conscription of yeshiva students, a sensitive issue that resurfaces just three weeks before elections.

The current situation, marked by attempts to arrest yeshiva students for draft evasion and the legal establishment's push to resume such arrests, has led to widespread concern about potential riots and protests. The senior official noted that these events validate the long-held position of the 'Jerusalem Faction,' a hardline ultra-Orthodox group, which has consistently argued against dialogue and advocated for strong resistance to prevent the conscription of Torah scholars. He acknowledged that while the faction's protests have historically created deterrence, the current widespread participation of yeshiva students and married scholars in demonstrations signifies a shift, with the entire community now acting like the 'Jerusalem Faction.'

He further stated that all efforts by the ultra-Orthodox parties to resolve the conscription issue through negotiation have failed. While acknowledging the need for a conscription law that includes quotas, as was previously attempted, he asserted that his party cannot endorse any government without this law being the absolute top priority. This demand, he added, has the backing of prominent Sephardic and Ashkenazi rabbis.

Earlier, a senior official from the United Torah Judaism party criticized the resumption of arrests, calling it a blatant political intervention aimed at harming the ultra-Orthodox parties and the right-wing bloc just weeks before the election. This follows a report that 64 individuals evading conscription had left the country and were only apprehended upon their return. The Deputy Attorney General has urged for an urgent increase in enforcement, stating that the current level is insufficient for security needs, the principle of equality, and the state's commitments to the High Court of Justice. Military officials confirmed that proactive enforcement would resume in October, in coordination with civilian police.