TEL AVIV — Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz planned to issue a portion of approved draft notices to Israel’s ultra-Orthodox community Sunday, escalating a showdown between the minority community, which holds outsize political power, and the Israeli majority, hundreds of thousands of whom have been called up to serve in Israel’s wars. Ultra-Orthodox partners in Netanyahu’s coalition have threatened to collapse the government if legislation reflecting their demands is not passed, which would probably lead to fresh elections. Netanyahu appointed Katz, a government minister with little military experience, this month to replace Yoav Gallant, who refused to advance new legislation enabling ultra-Orthodox military exemption. In the weeks following Oct. 7, Israel saw full compliance in its enlistment rate. Now, they are at 85 percent, Israel Defense Forces spokesman Nadav Shoshani said in a Thursday news briefing.

Source: The North Africa Journal November 17, 2024 13:35 UTC