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Israeli Draft Pits Secular Jews vs. Ultra-Orthodox
posted on July 10, 2012As the Israeli government tries to revamp its mandatory draft law, deep divisions between secular and ultra-Orthodox Jews are being reinforced. “The Supreme Court earlier this year ruled the draft exemptions illegal and gave the government until Aug. 1 to figure out a new, fairer system,” reports Aron Heller for the Associated Press. “In its current form, secular males must perform three years of compulsory service when they turn 18. Ultra-Orthodox men … have special exemptions that allow them to continue studying in their isolated enclaves while collecting government subsidies. … But polls show the vast majority of Israelis, who risk their lives and put their careers on hold while serving in the military, object strongly to the arrangement.”