ultra-Orthodox Jews
Israel’s high court says the government must stop funding seminaries. Could that topple Netanyahu?
By Julia Frankel — April 1, 2024
JERUSALEM (AP) — The politically powerful ultra-Orthodox, who make up roughly 13% of Israeli society, have traditionally received exemptions while studying full time in religious seminaries, or yeshivas.
Israelis stage largest protest since war began to increase pressure on Netanyahu
By Melanie Lindman, Wafaa Shurafa, and And Samy Magdy — April 1, 2024
JERUSALEM (AP) — Protesters blame Netanyahu for the failures of Oct. 7 and say the deep political divisions over his attempted judicial overhaul last year weakened Israel ahead of the attack.
High court ruling on Haredi draft exemption may set Israel on course for new elections
By David I. Klein — March 29, 2024
(RNS) — The draft exemptions, long a flashpoint issue in Israeli politics, have become even more fraught since the start of the war in Gaza, as Israel has called up over 300,000 reservists to active service while still exempting Haredis studying Torah.
With its soldiers mired in Gaza, Israel fights a battle at home over drafting the ultra-Orthodox
By Melanie Lidman — March 28, 2024
JERUSALEM (AP) — Among Israel’s Jewish majority, mandatory military service is largely seen as a melting pot and rite of passage. The ultra-Orthodox say that integrating into the army will threaten their generations-old way of life.
Israel’s army exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox are part of a bigger challenge: The Jewish state is divided over the Jewish religion
By Michael Brenner — March 15, 2024
(The Conversation) — The Israel-Hamas war has fueled tensions around military exemptions, but the issue has long roiled Israeli politics.
Safeguarding Israel with Torah study
By Avi Shafran — March 12, 2024
(RNS) — The question of Haredi conscription is not a matter of political privilege but religious liberty.
Haredi Jews, exempt from Israel’s military service mandate, sign up to fight Hamas
By Michele Chabin — October 30, 2023
JERUSALEM (RNS) — 'This isn’t a drill. This is an actual war,' one ultra-Orthodox Israeli said. 'During wartime, we must all do the maximum. Anyone who isn’t studying Torah full time should contribute.'
Church leaders plead with Israeli government as anti-Christian incidents increase in Holy Land
By Michele Chabin — August 21, 2023
JERUSALEM (RNS) — The incidents have been organized by extremist groups who consider Christians to be enemies of the Jewish people.
Israelis fear new limits on Supreme Court will bolster Orthodox establishment’s sway
By Michele Chabin — July 27, 2023
(RNS) — Rights advocates in the country say legislation giving the Knesset more power to overturn Supreme Court decisions will have ‘a devastating impact’ on everything from gender equality, religious freedom and pluralism to the rights of Israel’s Arab minority.
Ex-principal of Jewish school found guilty of sexual abuse
By Associated Press — April 5, 2023
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Malka Leifer, 56, a Tel Aviv-born mother of eight, was convicted on 18 counts, including rape, and acquitted of nine other charges.
Israel’s new hard-line government has made headlines – the bigger demographic changes that caused it, not so much
By Michael Brenner — January 11, 2023
(The Conversation) — Two religiously observant groups of Jews in Israel, the ultra-Orthodox and Religious Zionists, are increasingly acting as political allies. The consequences could be profound.
Far-right Ben-Gvir to be Israel’s national security minister
By Associated Press — November 26, 2022
JERUSALEM (AP) — Giving the sensitive role to Ben-Gvir raises concerns of a further escalation in Israeli-Palestinian tensions.
Israel’s Haredi voters drift hard right in leadership vacuum
By Ilan Ben Zion — October 31, 2022
JERUSALEM (AP) — Itamar Ben-Gvir's sharp rise in popularity in the last three years has transformed him from a fringe provocateur to a central player in Tuesday's parliament election.
Israel seen as a ‘safe haven’ for abusers like Baruch Lanner
By Michele Chabin — July 27, 2022
(RNS) — Opposition from activists and the general public led the Israeli government to deny citizenship to an abusive rabbi. But Israel remains vulnerable to abusers who want to move there, say activists.
Future of prayer site in doubt under Israel’s fragile government
By Tia Goldenberg — January 4, 2022
JERUSALEM (AP) — A plan for an egalitarian prayer site at Jerusalem's Western Wall has been stymied as new government struggles with internal divisions.
Page 1 of 3
