Israeli Opposition Leader Warns Soldier Shortage Could Cause Security Catastrophe

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid warned that a shortage of soldiers could lead to a security catastrophe for the country. Israel maintains mandatory military service requiring men to serve 32 months and women 24 months. However, ultra-Orthodox men studying in yeshivas, traditional Jewish religious schools, can apply for deferrals or exemptions from military service. This exemption system has created ongoing tensions in Israeli society over equal burden-sharing in national defense, as the ultra-Orthodox community's exemptions reduce the pool of available military personnel while secular and religious Zionist citizens fulfill their service obligations.