Israeli Supreme Court Demands Sanctions for Ultra-Orthodox Draft Dodgers

The Israeli Supreme Court has taken a firm stance, ordering the state to implement financial sanctions against ultra-Orthodox men who evade military service. This decision marks a significant escalation in the long-standing dispute between the judiciary and the government over the conscription of the Haredi population. For years, ultra-Orthodox men enjoyed near-total exemption from service, a privilege that the Supreme Court has now deemed legally baseless. Prime Minister Netanyahu finds himself in a precarious position, dependent on ultra-Orthodox parties for his political survival, which explains his reluctance to pass a law mandating their service. Instead, he favors a 'deserter law' that would allow them to continue avoiding conscription. This approach is widely opposed by a significant portion of the Israeli public, especially as tens of thousands of reservists and conscripts remain mobilized in Gaza and against Hezbollah. The court's ruling, demanding that draft dodgers forfeit financial benefits such as tax advantages, public transport subsidies, and daycare support, aims to enforce the law where the government has faltered. This is not merely a legal battle; it reflects deep societal divisions and the ongoing debate about equality, burden-sharing, and national security within Israel.

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Bij gebrek aan concrete maatregelen die wijzen op de wil om de dienstplicht te doen naleven, is er geen andere keuze dan operationele maatregelen te bevelen, die niets anders betekenen dan een rechtstreekse uitvoering van de wet