Yoav Gallant, the Israeli Defense Minister, stated on Tuesday, June 11, that "all segments of society must serve in the army." According to the Jerusalem Post, he made this statement during a visit to a group of Israeli soldiers, emphasizing the need for changes in the conscription law. Mr. Gallant opposes the exemption of ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service in Israel. For several decades, ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel have been almost completely exempt from military service due to their religious studies. Last March, the Defense Minister also called for the entire Israeli community, especially the ultra-Orthodox, to be drafted into military service. He made this request in light of the "national need" during the Gaza war. Yoav Gallant stated in his remarks last March that Israel is currently going through a wartime period that it has not witnessed in 75 years, and therefore is obliged to make agreements and decisions that have not been made in the past 75 years. The Defense Minister emphasized that the service of all segments of Israeli society in the army is crucial for victory in war. The Defense Minister called for military service for "ultra-Orthodox" Jews; the opposition party leader and a member of the "war cabinet" welcomed this.
Israeli Defense Minister: All Segments of Society Must Serve in the Army
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has called for all segments of society, particularly ultra-Orthodox Jews, to serve in the military, citing national needs amid ongoing conflicts. This marks a significant push against long-standing exemptions for ultra-Orthodox individuals. The call reflects a broader urgency for military service in Israel's current wartime context.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant called for all segments of society, particularly ultra-Orthodox Jews, to serve in the military, citing a national need amid ongoing conflicts. This marks a significant challenge to long-standing exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox community.
- Gallant's statement emphasizes the necessity of military service during wartime.
- The call for service comes in the context of the ongoing Gaza war.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
In Israel, military service is compulsory for most citizens, but ultra-Orthodox Jews have historically been exempt due to their religious commitments. This exemption has led to ongoing debates about equality and national duty.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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