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Israel's simple path to solving draft crisis

By slightly changing an existing law, Israel could resolve its ongoing ultra-Orthodox conscription crisis and bring equality to the system.
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The crisis over the military draft of yeshiva students is one of the most enduring features of Israel’s political system. The exemptions offered for what was a minority of yeshiva students when the state was established in 1948 have turned over the years from a trickle to a flood. Israeli decision-makers have no idea how to change course and to share the draft burden equally among all Israelis, despite fiery speeches advocating such a shift.

It is hard to explain to the 18-year-olds conscripted into compulsory service — three years for men, two for women — why a growing segment of Israeli society does not enlist and is exempt from the challenges and dangers faced by those having to serve. It is also hard to explain to the public, a majority of which supports mandatory service by young ultra-Orthodox men. Efforts by both right- and left-wing governments to introduce minor amendments to the law to create a semblance of equality to the blanket exemptions for yeshiva students have not withstood the scrutiny of the Supreme Court.

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