Israeli Military to Begin Drafting Ultra-Orthodox Jews on July 21

The Israeli Supreme Court ruled in June that ultra-Orthodox Jews could no longer be exempt from the country’s compulsory military service system.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews line up at an Israeli draft office to process their exemptions from mandatory military service at a recruitment base in Kiryat Ono, Israel, on March 28, 2024. Hannah McKay/Reuters

The Israeli military will begin issuing its first round of military draft notices to members of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community on Sunday, July 21.

The draft notices come after the Israeli Supreme Court ruled in June that the country’s compulsory military service requirements should extend to all members of Israeli society. The ultra-Orthodox Haredi community had enjoyed a full exemption from the military service laws prior to the high court’s June 25 ruling.