Ultra-Orthodox Protest Draft as Gaza Faces Annihilation
Ultra-Orthodox Jews recently brought West Jerusalem to a standstill, rallying against plans to draft them into the Israeli army, according to Al Jazeera. This spectacle of 'conscientious objection' unfolds precisely as the Israeli military, which these groups disproportionately exempt themselves from, continues its devastating campaign in Gaza. For decades, a political arrangement has allowed a
significant portion of Ultra-Orthodox men to avoid mandatory service, citing religious study. This privilege, enshrined in law and fiercely defended by their political representatives, ensures their children are safe, while secular Israelis and others are sent to fight. One might wonder if their commitment to religious study extends to Exodus 15:3 – "The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name" –
or if that's just for everyone else.