Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men stand next to an Israeli soldier at the Western Wall. However, in the future they may stand side-by-side wearing the same military uniform. Photo: ReutersIsraeli Court Invalidates A Military Exemption -- New York Times
JERUSALEM — The Israeli Supreme Court has invalidated a law that exempted from military service ultra-Orthodox Jews engaged in religious studies, adding a new urgency to the government’s negotiations with religious parties over a more equitable distribution of the burdens of citizenship.
The 6-to-3 decision, handed down late Tuesday, declared the so-called Tal Law unconstitutional at a time of growing tension in Israel over the place of the ultra-Orthodox. The law, in effect since 2002, granted exemptions to tens of thousands of religious academy students. It was widely viewed as a failure, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had already said it would not be renewed when it expired this summer.
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More News On The Israeli Court Ruling That The Tal Law Is Unconstitutional
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Israeli Supreme Court strikes law on ultra-Orthodox army deferral -- Gulf Times/AFP
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