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An impending political storm over conscripting ultra-Orthodox Jews into the military is threatening to undermine the governing coalition and splitting the country.

The public mood on the question has shifted dramatically in Israel in the wake of two years of hostilities, and this is now arguably the most volatile political risk facing the Prime Minister.

The Judicial Battle

Lawmakers are now debating a proposal to abolish the special status awarded to yeshiva scholars dedicated to Torah study, established when the the nation was founded in 1948.

That exemption was struck down by the nation's top court two decades ago. Stopgap solutions to extend it were formally ended by the judiciary last year, forcing the cabinet to start enlisting the Haredi sector.

Approximately 24,000 call-up papers were sent out last year, but merely about 1,200 men from the community showed up, according to military testimony given to lawmakers.

Tensions Boil Over Into Violence

Tensions are erupting onto the city centers, with lawmakers now discussing a new draft bill to force ultra-Orthodox men into army duty together with other Jewish citizens.

Two representatives were harassed this month by radical elements, who are incensed with parliament's discussion of the proposed law.

In a recent incident, a elite police squad had to assist army police who were targeted by a sizeable mob of ultra-Orthodox protesters as they attempted to detain a suspected draft-evader.

These enforcement actions have led to the development of a new alert system called "Dark Alert" to spread word quickly through the religious sector and call out protesters to block enforcement from happening.

"This is a Jewish state," remarked an activist. "One cannot oppose religious practice in a Jewish country. It is a contradiction."

A Realm Separate

However the shifts blowing through Israel have failed to penetrate the environment of the religious seminary in a Haredi stronghold, an Haredi enclave on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.

In the learning space, scholars learn in partnerships to discuss Judaism's religious laws, their distinctive writing books popping against the lines of white shirts and small black kippahs.

"Visit in the early hours, and you will see a significant portion are engaged in learning," the dean of the academy, the spiritual guide, explained. "By studying Torah, we shield the troops in the field. This is how we contribute."

Ultra-Orthodox believe that unceasing devotion and Torah learning defend Israel's military, and are as crucial to its security as its advanced weaponry. This tenet was acknowledged by Israel's politicians in the past, he said, but he acknowledged that Israel was changing.

Growing Public Pressure

The ultra-Orthodox population has grown substantially its percentage of Israel's population over the past seven decades, and now accounts for 14%. What began as an exception for several hundred yeshiva attendees turned into, by the beginning of the Gaza war, a group of approximately 60,000 men not subject to the national service.

Surveys show support for ending the exemption is increasing. A poll in July found that a large majority of non-Haredi Jews - including almost three-quarters in his own coalition allies - favored consequences for those who ignored a enlistment summons, with a firm majority in supporting removing privileges, passports, or the electoral participation.

"It seems to me there are individuals who are part of this country without contributing," one serviceman in Tel Aviv commented.

"In my view, regardless of piety, [it] should be an justification not to go and serve your nation," said a young woman. "If you're born here, I find it quite ridiculous that you want to exempt yourself just to learn in a yeshiva all day."

Perspectives from the Heart of a Religious City

Backing for extending the draft is also found among traditional Jews outside the ultra-Orthodox sector, like Dorit Barak, who lives near the academy and points to religious Zionists who do serve in the military while also studying Torah.

"I'm very angry that this community don't perform military service," she said. "This creates inequality. I too follow the Jewish law, but there's a proverb in Jewish tradition - 'Safra and Saifa' – it signifies the scripture and the defense together. This is the correct approach, until the arrival of peace."

She manages a modest remembrance site in her city to soldiers from the area, both religious and secular, who were fallen in war. Rows of faces {