Latest news with #militaryexemption
Arab News
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Netanyahu's government faces possible collapse as opposition seeks to dissolve parliament
JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government faced a major test Wednesday after the opposition submitted a bill to dissolve parliament, with his ultra-Orthodox coalition partners threatening to support the measure and force early elections. The ultra-Orthodox parties are furious that the government has failed to pass a law exempting their community from mandatory military service, an issue that has long divided the Jewish Israeli public, especially during the 20-monthlong war in the Gaza Strip. While many expect a last-minute compromise, the vote is the most serious challenge to Netanyahu's government since Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack, the biggest security failure in Israel's history. The opposition submitted a bill to dissolve the Knesset, Israel's parliament. In response, coalition members submitted numerous bills, packing Wednesday's schedule and buying time for last-minute negotiations. The dissolution vote, if it is not pulled, is expected to take place late at night. Separately, Argentina's President Javier Milei will address the Knesset on Wednesday. The bill must pass another three readings before parliament is dissolved, a process that could take days or weeks. Even if the bill passes, it could take weeks or months for new elections to be called. If the bill fails, another vote for dissolution cannot be brought again by the opposition for at least six months. The opposition could still pull the bill if there isn't enough support and submit it again in the coming weeks. Netanyahu's coalition includes two ultra-Orthodox parties, and both would need to support the dissolution bill for it to pass. On Tuesday, top ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi, rabbis issued a religious decree emphasizing their stand against military service, which complicates the Haredi politicians' ability to negotiate. Military service is mandatory for most Jews in Israel, but the politically powerful ultra-Orthodox, who make up roughly 13 percent of Israeli society, have traditionally received exemptions if they are studying full-time in religious seminaries. The ultra-Orthodox, also known as Haredim, or 'God-fearing' in Hebrew, say that integrating into the army threatens their traditional way of life. Israel is engaged in the longest active war in the country's history, which has stretched its military to the breaking point. The Haredim's widespread refusal to serve, and threats to topple the government during wartime, have enraged many Israelis, especially those who have served multiple rounds of reserve duty. Since the start of the war, 866 Israeli soldiers have been killed.
The National
04-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Israeli Ultra-Orthodox party reportedly planning to quit Netanyahu coalition
Ultra-Orthodox leaders in Israel have reportedly ordered politicians in the United Torah Judaism party, which sits in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's far-right coalition, to withdraw from government over lack of progress on passing legislation to exempt young men from the community from military service. Reports of the UTJ's imminent withdrawal have sparked opposition plans to put forward a bill to dissolve parliament, giving Mr Netanyahu about a week to find a solution to save his coalition. If he fails, it opens up the possibility that Israel has to hold early elections. The issue of whether Ultra-Orthodox youths should perform military service, which is mandatory for all other Jewish Israelis, has proven to be one of the most insurmountable in Israeli politics in recent years. The Ultra-Orthodox community have grown increasingly frustrated in recent weeks over delays in passing an exemption law. The wider dispute intensified during the Gaza War. Israel's military says it is facing a manpower shortage and many Israelis feel their children take on an unfair burden while the Ultra-Orthodox stay away from military service to dedicate themselves to religious study. The community also receives significant subsidies to continue their secluded way of life, which many Israelis also criticise as an unfair financial burden that encourages the community not to integrate. The UTJ's reported plans to withdraw come after a meeting to find a solution between the party's senior officials and Yuli Edelstein, chairman of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, ended in failure. Mr Edelstein, a member of Mr Netanyahu's Likud party, previously vowed to find a solution that 'significantly increases [the military's] conscription base,' echoing frustration by many in the ultranationalist, hawkish coalition at the Ultra-Orthodox's refusal to serve. The UTJ party holds seven of the ruling coalition's 68 seats, meaning that their departure would not end the government's majority in the 120-seat Knesset. However, a second Ultra-Orthodox party, Shas, is also demanding the passage of a bill to exempt their young men from service. Shas, which has 11 seats, have not yet commented on their stance towards the current impasse, but it is considered likely to follow UTJ's suit, which would deprive Mr Netanyahu of his majority.
CNA
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
JinJin of K-pop group Astro exempted from military service
K-pop boy band Astro's leader and rapper JinJin has been exempted from military service. Astro's agency Fantangio released an official statement on Monday (Jun 2), saying: 'JinJin has been deemed unfit for military duty following a detailed medical examination by the Military Manpower Administration due to health issues related to an autoimmune condition.' In South Korea, upon turning 18, all able-bodied men are required by law to perform 18 to 21 months of military service. The agency said: 'While his condition does not interfere with daily life, he requires regular hospital visits for examinations and ongoing management. Based on the medical opinion that it would be difficult for him to participate in military service under such circumstances, he has been granted an exemption from mandatory military duty." 'We sincerely thank all the fans for your constant love and support, and we kindly ask for your continued interest in JinJin's future endeavours," they added. JinJin's fellow bandmate Cha Eun-woo will enlist in the military on Jul 28 and serve in the army's military band. The location and time of his enlistment will be kept confidential 'in order to prevent safety accidents due to crowding", according to Fantangio. JinJin debuted as part of the six-member boy group in 2016 and was part of JinJin and Rocky, Astro's sub unit from 2022 to 2023. In February this year, he held his first solo concert titled Jin Lab Vol 1 Find Your Groove at South Korea's Yes24 Wonderlock Hall.
