Home › DW       16.08.2026

How a fight over military service reveals a major split in Israeli society | DW News

As Israel remains on a wartime footing, a decades-old exemption for many ultra-Orthodox men has become one of the country's most divisive political issues. Supporters of reform argue the burden of military service is unequal, while Haredi leaders say conscription threatens their religious way of life. With elections due in October, the debate now reaches far beyond army service and into questions of identity, religion and the future of the state. Analysis comes from political analyst Gideon Rahat of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

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00:00 Why ultra-Orthodox draft exemptions are under scrutiny 01:01 Soldiers' mothers demand equal conscription 02:30 Ultra-Orthodox leaders defend Torah study 03:12 The debate's impact on Israel's future 03:22 Political analyst Gideon Rahat joins DW 04:34 Does the religious argument still resonate? 05:36 Coalition politics and the role of ultra-Orthodox parties 08:02 Could the draft dispute decide the election? 08:48 What the controversy says about Israeli democracy

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