Ultra-Orthodox conscription debate ignites Israel’s election battleground

From the fallout of multi-fronted wars and demands for accountability over security failures to mounting concerns over the cost of living, Israelis are grappling with a series of crises ahead of the October 27 election.Yet one contentious issue has come to dominate headlines during the campaign: whether Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish minority should serve in the military.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4The Israeli politicians seeking to replace Netanyahulist 2 of 4Israel’s ties with Europe are fraying. Can its election change that?list 3 of 4The kingmakers who could determine Israel’s electionlist 4 of 4How Israel’s 2026 election worksend of listAn estimated 80,000 ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi, men aged between 18 and 24 are currently avoiding military service, a figure whose significance grows with every report of staff shortages in the Israeli army.For their political supporters in the Knesset’s Haredi Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ) parties, they are helping preserve the essential character of Israel through Torah study and prayer.But for their detractors, they are draft dodgers refusing to undertake their share in the multiple wars Israel has embarked upon in the...