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A gathering crisis over enlisting Haredi men into the Israeli army is threatening to undermine the governing coalition and fracturing the country.

Popular sentiment on the question has shifted dramatically in Israel after two years of conflict, and this is now arguably the most volatile political challenge facing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Judicial Conflict

Legislators are now debating a draft bill to abolish the exemption given to Haredi students dedicated to full-time religious study, instituted when the State of Israel was established in 1948.

This arrangement was ruled illegal by the nation's top court almost 20 years ago. Stopgap solutions to maintain it were formally ended by the judiciary last year, compelling the administration to begin drafting the ultra-Orthodox population.

Approximately 24,000 call-up papers were issued last year, but just approximately 1,200 Haredi conscripts showed up, according to defense officials shared with lawmakers.

Strains Erupt Into Violence

Strains are boiling over onto the city centers, with parliamentarians now debating a new legislative proposal to require ultra-Orthodox men into army duty together with other Jewish citizens.

Two representatives were targeted this month by radical elements, who are furious with the Knesset's deliberations of the bill.

Recently, a elite police squad had to assist enforcement personnel who were attacked by a big group of community members as they attempted to detain a suspected draft-evader.

Such incidents have prompted the establishment of a new communication network named "Dark Alert" to spread word quickly through the religious sector and mobilize protesters to stop detentions from happening.

"Israel is a Jewish nation," remarked one protester. "One cannot oppose Judaism in a Jewish country. That is untenable."

A World Separate

But the changes affecting Israel have failed to penetrate the walls of the religious seminary in Bnei Brak, an ultra-Orthodox city on the fringes of Tel Aviv.

Within the study hall, scholars study together to debate Judaism's religious laws, their vividly colored writing books contrasting with the rows of light-colored shirts and traditional skullcaps.

"Come at one in the morning, and you will see a significant portion are pursuing religious study," the dean of the yeshiva, the spiritual guide, explained. "By studying Torah, we shield the troops on the front lines. This constitutes our service."

Ultra-Orthodox believe that constant study and Torah learning guard Israel's soldiers, and are as crucial to its military success as its tanks and air force. This tenet was endorsed by Israel's politicians in the past, he said, but he acknowledged that the nation is evolving.

Increasing Societal Anger

This religious sector has more than doubled its percentage of the country's people over the past seven decades, and now accounts for 14%. What began as an deferment for a few hundred yeshiva attendees became, by the start of the recent conflict, a body of approximately 60,000 men exempt from the national service.

Opinion polls suggest approval of ending the exemption is growing. Research in July found that a large majority of non-Haredi Jews - encompassing almost three-quarters in the Prime Minister's political base - backed consequences for those who declined a enlistment summons, with a firm majority in approving removing privileges, passports, or the franchise.

"It seems to me there are people who are part of this country without contributing," one off-duty soldier in Tel Aviv explained.

"I don't think, however religious you are, [it] should be an excuse not to fulfill your duty to your state," stated a young woman. "As a citizen by birth, I find it quite ridiculous that you want to opt out just to study Torah all day."

Voices from Inside the Community

Backing for broadening conscription is also expressed by traditional Jews outside the ultra-Orthodox sector, like Dorit Barak, who resides close to the yeshiva and highlights observant but non-Haredi Jews who do perform national service while also maintaining their faith.

"It makes me angry that this community don't enlist," she said. "It is unjust. I also believe in the Jewish law, but there's a teaching in Hebrew - 'Safra and Saifa' – it represents the Torah and the defense together. That is the path, until the arrival of peace."

The resident maintains a small memorial in her city to local soldiers, both observant and non-observant, who were fallen in war. Lines of photographs {