A new controversy has erupted in Israel over military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Yeshiva students, as Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara demands the inclusion of strict quotas in proposed draft legislation - a move that religious leaders categorically reject.
The dispute comes at a critical time when the coalition government is attempting to pass a new military draft law following the appointment of Israel Katz as Defense Minister. The legislation aims to address the long-standing issue of military service exemptions for religious scholars, which has been a source of political and social tension in Israeli society for decades.
"The Attorney General is approaching this issue with an almost obsessive level of interference," a senior Haredi party official told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity. "She knows perfectly well that quotas for Torah students are completely unacceptable to our community. This appears to be an attempt to destabilize the government."
The controversy has its roots in recent political changes. Following the dismissal of former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who had insisted on opposition support for any draft law, religious parties saw an opportunity to advance legislation that would protect the status of full-time Torah students while meeting military needs. However, the Attorney General's intervention has complicated these efforts.
The draft law has particular significance in the context of Israel's current security situation. While the military relies heavily on conscription to maintain its forces, the ultra-Orthodox community has traditionally received exemptions for religious study, a practice that has faced increasing scrutiny from secular Israelis.
In response to the Attorney General's position, some coalition members are taking dramatic action. Members of Agudat Yisrael, a prominent ultra-Orthodox party, have joined calls for Baharav-Miara's dismissal, signing onto an initiative led by Minister Shlomo Karhi. However, Shas, another religious party, has notably abstained from this effort, with its leader Aryeh Deri instructing party members not to participate.
Notably, the last person who tried to force his will onto this complex and sensitive issue was Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who quickly became the ex-Defense Minister. Maybe Baharav-Miara's stubbornness will finally bring about her defeat.
Kikar HaShabbat contributed to this article.