Israel’s Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that ultra-Orthodox men must be drafted for military service, overturning the exemption for Jewish seminary students.

This ruling poses a threat to the stability of the government, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition relies on religious conservative parties that are against the decision.

The court stated that without a law distinguishing between seminary students and other draftees, compulsory military service applies to ultra-Orthodox men as to any other citizens.

For years, ultra-Orthodox men have been exempt from the draft, but the court found this exemption to be an "invalid selective enforcement," violating the principle of equality before the law.

During the ongoing war, the burden of inequality is particularly severe, according to the court.

The court did not specify the number of ultra-Orthodox men to be drafted.

'Tear society apart'

The exemption of ultra-Orthodox men has been a point of contention among the secular public, especially during the Gaza conflict.

The military's demand for manpower has increased due to the war, with casualties rising, but the ultra-Orthodox parties in the coalition oppose changing the status quo.

Ending the exemptions could potentially disrupt the coalition and even lead to the collapse of the government.

Government lawyers argued that enlisting ultra-Orthodox men would cause division in Israeli society.

Cabinet minister Yitzhak Goldknopf criticized the ruling on social media, calling it "unfortunate and disappointing."

‘Ill-prepared’

Ultra-Orthodox men lack secular education in subjects like math and science, raising concerns about their readiness for military service or the workforce.

The ultra-Orthodox community is the fastest-growing segment of the population, adding about 4 percent annually.

Despite thousands reaching conscription age each year, a low percentage of ultra-Orthodox males enlist in the military.