Netanyahu Faces Challenge with Controversial Military Service Law
#netanyahu #israel #military service #ultra-orthodox jews #protests
About the People Mentioned
Benjamin Netanyahu
Benjamin Netanyahu, born on October 21, 1949, in Tel Aviv, Israel, is a prominent Israeli politician and diplomat who has served as Prime Minister of Israel three times (1996–1999, 2009–2021, and from 2022 onwards). He began his career in the Israeli military's special operations and later transitioned into politics in the late 1980s, joining the Likud party[1][2]. Netanyahu first became prime minister in 1996, during which time he signed the Hebron and Wye Accords, advancing peace efforts with the Palestinians. His administration focused on economic reforms such as government privatization, liberalizing currency regulations, and reducing deficits. After losing the 1999 election, he served as foreign minister and finance minister before reclaiming the Likud leadership in 2005[1][3][4]. Returning as prime minister in 2009, Netanyahu formed a national unity government and proposed a demilitarized Palestinian state recognizing Israel as the Jewish state, emphasizing security concerns. His tenure was marked by fluctuating peace negotiations with the Palestinians and contentious policies including settlement expansions. He also maintained a hawkish stance on Iran and supported the Iraq war[1][3][5]. In 2022, Netanyahu made a political comeback as prime minister, leading a coalition that included far-right parties. His leadership during this period has been pivotal amid the 2023–2024 Israel-Hamas conflict, with significant domestic and international implications[2]. Netanyahu is Israel’s longest-serving prime minister and remains a central figure in Israeli politics, known for his strong security policies, economic reforms, and complex role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His career has been marked by both political resilience and controversy, reflecting his enduring influence on Israel’s domestic and foreign affairs[2][3][5].
About the Organizations Mentioned
Israel's ultra-Orthodox
## Overview “Israel’s ultra-Orthodox” (often referred to as Haredi Jews) is not a single organization but a broad religious and social movement representing a significant and growing segment of Israeli society[1]. While there is no centralized “organization,” the ultra-Orthodox community is characterized by a network of religious institutions, political parties, schools, and communal structures that collectively shape its identity and influence[1][8]. This community is known for its strict adherence to Jewish law (Halakha), distinctive lifestyle, and relative separation from mainstream Israeli society[1][4]. ## What the Community Does Ultra-Orthodox society in Israel is centered around religious study and observance. For men, the ideal is full-time Torah study, often supported by state stipends and charitable donations[4][5]. Yeshivas (religious schools) and kollels (advanced study institutions) are central to community life, with boys beginning intensive religious education as early as age 13[5]. Women often work as teachers in girls’ schools or support their families while their husbands study[4]. The community maintains its own educational systems, media, and social services, largely separate from the secular state[1][4]. ## History The roots of Israel’s ultra-Orthodox community trace back to 19th-century Eastern Europe, where groups sought to preserve traditional Jewish life amid modernization and secularization[1]. In Israel, the community initially resisted the secular Zionist project, viewing it as a threat to religious continuity[4]. Over time, however, the ultra-Orthodox have become a powerful political and demographic force, leveraging their growing numbers to secure government funding for religious institutions and exemptions from military service[8]. ## Key Achievements The ultra-Orthodox community has achieved remarkable demographic growth, with a population that has nearly doubled since 2009, reaching about 1.34 million in 2023—over 13% of Israel’s population
