Jerusalem, Israel – Israel’s Supreme Court made a groundbreaking decision on Tuesday, ordering the government to draft ultra-Orthodox Jews into the military, challenging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and potentially shaking up his ruling coalition. This ruling also mandated the government to cut funding from religious schools whose students refuse to comply with draft notices.

The court justified its decision by stating that the government’s approach to enforcing the law based on group affiliation had violated the principle of equality before the law. For decades, ultra-Orthodox (or Haredi) Jews have been exempt from mandatory military service, dedicating their early years to religious studies in yeshivas, which they see as crucial to Judaism’s preservation and Israel’s defense.

The tension between efforts to enlist more ultra-Orthodox men in the military and the staunch opposition from Haredi parties, crucial for Netanyahu’s coalition government, has been a longstanding challenge. The court’s ruling comes during a critical time for Israel, currently at war for nearly nine months, and facing political shifts within the government.

Although the IDF is now obligated to draft Haredi men, military leaders express concerns about integrating them en masse due to religious requirements. This decision marks a significant shift, ending decades of unequal treatment and discrimination, according to advocates for equality in Israel.

The ruling has sparked a debate on the role of the court versus legislation in resolving the conscription issue, with Netanyahu’s party emphasizing the need for legislative solutions. Ultra-Orthodox leaders continue to push for legal exemptions, underscoring the ongoing tensions within the government and between political and military leaders.

This decision highlights a recurring challenge faced by successive governments in addressing the Haredi exemption issue, despite public support for change among Israeli citizens. The Supreme Court’s stance on equality and conscription underlines the complex dynamics at play in Israel’s political and military landscape.