Israeli military calls up more members of the ultra-Orthodox community

The Israeli military issued call-up notices to more members of the ultra-Orthodox community on Sunday to bolster its forces in its wars on Gaza and Lebanon.

The Israeli Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that the defence ministry could no longer grant blanket exemptions to Jewish seminary students from conscription. Such an arrangement had been in place since Israel was created in 1948, when the number of ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi, was much smaller than today.

Israel's defence ministry said that 7,000 members of the community would gradually receive call-up notices.

The ministry said it would work with community leaders to ensure ultra-Orthodox soldiers could preserve their religious lifestyles while serving.

In July, the military called up 1,000 ultra-Orthodox men. The policy shift has been opposed by ultra-Orthodox parties in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

Some rabbis were reportedly urging those who received notices to refuse to serve, Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported on Sunday.