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New chapter in the Haredi crisis within Netanyahu’s government

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The ongoing crisis in Israel has deepened following the Supreme Court’s ruling to cancel the military exemption for ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) men. This decision has placed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a difficult position, as he risks losing support from his ultra-Orthodox coalition partners.

On June 25, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that there is no legal basis for exempting ultra-Orthodox Jewish men (Haredim) from military service. The court stated that those eligible for the draft must serve, and those who do not comply will lose publicly funded social and educational benefits.

This ruling marks a significant shift: Haredim, who for years were exempt from military service and received state subsidies, now face the loss of these privileges under Israel’s most right-wing government in history. In response, Netanyahu has been working to keep the ultra-Orthodox parties in his coalition. However, he failed to secure enough support for one of his initiatives—a bill providing kindergarten support for Haredi children.

Despite Netanyahu’s efforts, Minister Gideon Sa’ar, leader of the New Hope party, declared that his party, with its four seats, would vote against the bill. Similarly, Religious Zionism MK Ofir Sofer and Likud MKs Moshe Saada and Dan Illouz also announced their opposition. This means that ten coalition MKs are expected to vote against the bill, which would undermine the government’s eight-seat majority. Additionally, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is anticipated to vote against the bill.

Almost every week since the High Court ruling, Haredim have protested against conscription in front of military branches, and the police have used force to break up these protests. Photo: Mostafa Alkharouf/AA

Almost every week since the High Court ruling, Haredim have protested against conscription in front of military branches, and the police have used force to break up these protests. Photo: Mostafa Alkharouf/AA

The bill had been approved by the Council of Ministers on Sunday and was scheduled for a vote in parliament tomorrow. However, with the government losing its majority, it may not be brought to a vote as planned.

The proposed legislation aims to ensure that children of Haredi men required to serve but who avoid doing so can still access state-funded childcare subsidies. Critics argue that this measure would only encourage military avoidance among Haredi men at a time when the Israeli army faces a manpower shortage due to a multi-front war.

7,000 Haredi men facing the draft?

Meanwhile, the debate over Haredi conscription has intensified since the Supreme Court’s decision. While many expected Netanyahu to dismiss Defense Minister Yoav Gallant amid tensions with the coalition parties, Gallant took a surprising step instead. Reports indicate that Gallant ordered the conscription of 7,000 Haredi men.

According to Israel Hayom, Gallant recently met with Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, Deputy Chief of Staff Amir Baram, and Army Personnel Director Yaniv Asor to discuss the logistics of drafting Haredi men. A presentation outlined details for the initial group to be called up. At the meeting’s conclusion, Gallant authorized the army’s recommendation to draft 7,000 Haredim in the coming days.

As of late July, only 900 Haredi men have responded to the recent draft notices sent to 3,000, reporting to the draft office.

Haredim, who comprise about 12% of Israel’s population of 9 million, largely refuse military service on religious grounds. Many Haredi Jews argue that their religious practices cannot align with the secular structure of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

Until this ruling, Haredim who studied Torah in a yeshiva until age 26 were exempt from Israel’s mandatory three-year military service for men and women. Now, the Haredi parties are advocating for legislation that would recognize Torah education as a fundamental right, effectively restoring the exemption from military service.

With a combined 18 MKs—11 from Shas and 7 from United Torah Judaism—the Haredi parties hold a critical role in Netanyahu’s coalition.

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Katz’s statement on Hezbollah disarmament surprises even Halevi

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14/11/2024

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Israel’s new Defense Minister, Israel Katz, appointed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to replace the recently dismissed Yoav Gallant, has sparked surprise with a bold declaration regarding Israel’s stance on Hezbollah. Katz stated that one of Israel’s primary goals is to disarm Hezbollah, leaving Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi notably surprised.

As Israel advances into southern Lebanon, negotiations continue in Washington and Beirut over a possible resolution to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. However, Katz emphasized that Israel would not halt its efforts until all military objectives are achieved.

“We will not cease fire, we will not ease pressure, and we will not support any agreement that does not fully achieve the goals of this war,” Katz declared during a visit to the Northern Command alongside Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi.

Katz outlined these objectives as: “disarming Hezbollah, pushing them beyond the Litani River, and ensuring the safe return of Israelis in northern areas to their homes.”

In the accompanying video, Halevi appeared visibly taken aback by Katz’s mention of disarming Hezbollah as an official objective, as this has not been publicly stated as a government directive.

Katz further stressed Israel’s right to “implement any agreement independently and to act decisively against any terrorist activity or organization.” He added, “We must continue to strike Hezbollah with full force.”

6 Israeli soldiers killed

Meanwhile, as Israel presses forward with its ground invasion of southern Lebanon, six more Israeli soldiers were killed in a clash with Hezbollah forces. This incident, one of the heaviest single-day casualties for Israel since the invasion’s onset, highlights the intensifying nature of the conflict.

According to a statement by the Israeli army, the soldiers, all from the 51st Battalion of the Golani Brigade, were killed in fire exchange with at least four Hezbollah fighters inside a building in a southern Lebanese village.

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Sexual harassment investigation targeting ICC Chief amid controversial prosecution

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13/11/2024

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The International Criminal Court (ICC) has enlisted independent investigators to examine allegations of sexual harassment against Prosecutor Karim Khan.

The accusations against Khan surfaced as the ICC evaluated Khan’s request to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza.

Finnish diplomat Päivi Kaukoranta, who leads the ICC’s oversight body, stated that an external investigation was initiated after reports surfaced that Khan had acted inappropriately toward a female colleague. Normally, such matters are managed by the court’s internal audit, but Khan personally requested that the Independent Supervisory Mechanism (ISM) oversee the case. Kaukoranta explained, “In light of the case’s unique circumstances, the ISM’s victim-centered approach, and the potential for conflicts of interest, the ISM agreed to the exceptional use of an external investigation.”

Khan denied the allegations, stating, “I have previously called for an investigation into this matter and welcome the opportunity to participate in this process.”

The investigation coincides with the ICC’s deliberation over Khan’s request to issue warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Israel’s actions in Gaza.

While Khan’s move was supported internationally, it drew criticism from the Biden administration and U.S. Congress. The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed legislation that sanctions individuals affiliated with the ICC, including judges and their families, underscoring the U.S. policy of opposition to ICC jurisdiction over Israel.

Reports have also surfaced regarding Israel’s alleged threats toward ICC officials. In May, The Guardian revealed that Khan’s predecessor, Fatou Bensouda, was pressured in “a series of secret meetings” with Mossad chief Yossi Cohen, a close ally of Netanyahu. Cohen reportedly advised Bensouda to “drop the war crimes investigation,” allegedly warning her, “You don’t want to be involved in anything that could endanger your safety or your family’s safety.”

Khan has since noted he faced pressure before submitting his application for the arrest warrant.

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Trump will conditionally support West Bank annexation

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12/11/2024

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Former Trump aides have cautioned Israeli ministers not to assume Trump’s unconditional support for West Bank annexation in a potential second term, according to The Times of Israel.

At least two officials from Donald Trump’s previous administration advised Israeli ministers to temper expectations about Trump’s support for Israel’s annexation of the West Bank. Sources close to the discussions indicated that while annexation is not off the table, Israeli leaders should avoid viewing it as a “foregone conclusion.”

The message was delivered in meetings and discussions held in the months leading up to Trump’s recent presidential victory. However, some far-right cabinet members remained undeterred. On Monday, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared that 2025 would mark “the year of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria [the West Bank]” following Trump’s re-election. Last week, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also asserted that “the time for sovereignty has come.”

On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced Yechiel Leiter as Israel’s next ambassador to the United States. Leiter, a former settler leader, is known for his support of West Bank annexation and opposition to a Palestinian state.

In a statement to The Times of Israel, an anonymous Israeli official said Trump’s former advisers have not ruled out his potential support for annexation. However, they indicated it could jeopardize Trump’s broader foreign policy priorities, including countering Iran, competing with China, and ending the war in Ukraine. Trump would likely need the support of key Gulf allies—notably Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—to achieve these goals. Unconditional support for Israeli annexation, however, could risk backlash from these regional allies.

In 2020, Trump’s peace plan proposed annexing all Israeli settlements while leaving open the possibility of a Palestinian state in other areas of the West Bank. Although Prime Minister Netanyahu had hesitations, settler leaders and officials like Smotrich celebrated Trump’s recent victory as a chance to realize annexation plans.

A former Trump adviser told an Israeli minister that Trump’s support for Israeli sovereignty would likely come with more conditions than in 2020. After the Palestinian Authority rejected Trump’s “Peace to Prosperity” proposal in 2020, the Trump administration and Israel began planning a partial annexation of the West Bank. However, this initiative was set aside when the UAE agreed to normalize relations with Israel.

The U.S. commitment to the UAE to delay Israeli annexation efforts expires at the end of 2024. Still, a former Trump official told The Times of Israel that a major shift in U.S. support for annexation should not be expected. “If any shift happens, it would need to be part of a process,” the official commented.

Jason Greenblatt, Trump’s former Middle East envoy, reinforced this message, stating:

“I think it’s important that those in Israel who are celebrating President Trump’s victory do so because of his strong support for Israel, as evidenced by many historic achievements during his first term. Some Israeli ministers are assuming that expanding Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria is an automatic done deal and will happen as soon as President Trump takes office.

I suggest they take a deep breath. If I were advising these ministers, I would strongly urge them to focus on working closely with Prime Minister Netanyahu to strengthen U.S.-Israel relations and address the significant threats facing Israel. The time for discussions around Judea and Samaria will come, but context and timing are crucial.”

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