Israeli defence minister says law to conscript ultra-Orthodox Jews a ‘historic turning point'

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has said on Thursday that a draft law to conscript ultra-Orthodox Jews into the army, who had previously been exempt, is not a "moral issue," dismissing the rhetoric as a "cynical political use".

In a post on X, Katz said, "The new conscription law, upon its completion, will mark a historic turning point and result in the recruitment of tens of thousands of additional ultra-Orthodox members for significant service in the IDF [Israeli army] for the first time."

"This contrasts with the recently implemented policy, which failed and actually led to a decrease in the number of ultra-Orthodox members serving in the IDF," he added.

In July, the Israeli high court ruled ruled that ultra-Orthodox men, previously exempt from military service, must be drafted. The decision sparked widespread protests among ultra-Orthodox Jews, who took to the streets in opposition to the plans.