What happened
The ultra-Orthodox community in Israel is resisting being drafted into the military, sparking tensions and protests. The community, which makes up about 14% of the population, has traditionally been exempt from military service, but this exemption is now being challenged.
The issue has become a key point of contention in the country's election, with some parties advocating for an end to the exemption. The ultra-Orthodox community believes that serving in the military would expose their young men to influences and behaviors that may turn them away from their community.
Protests have continued, with hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews holding demonstrations and blocking highways. The community's leaders have threatened to pull out of the government coalition if the exemption is not maintained.
The debate around the exemption has also led to a new Haredi party emerging, which is offering a compromise in which the ultra-Orthodox would contribute more to Israel as a whole while maintaining their identity.
The issue is critical for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who needs to keep the ultra-Orthodox parties on side to stay in power. However, the refusal to give up the draft exemption is damaging Netanyahu's coalition, with polls showing that his alliance is unlikely to win a majority.
