‘Sharing the burden’ in Israel

In Israel, most Jewish men are drafted into three years of military service as soon after they graduate from high school. Jewish women serve two-year stints. The ultra-Orthodox community has been exempt. But this is beginning to change. Israel’s Supreme Court just ruled that religious seminaries — called yeshivas — are being cut off from government funding because they don’t send students into the military. The World’s Matthew Bell reports the ruling could have a profound impact on Israeli politics and society.

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