In a significant ruling, the Israeli Supreme Court has ordered a freeze on funding for ultra-Orthodox yeshivas unless their students enlist in the military. This decision comes at a critical juncture, as the nation grapples with an intensified war against Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition may face rupture in the midst of the ongoing conflict.

Following a 2018 high court ruling that found the current exemption system for ultra-Orthodox Jews discriminatory, the Israeli government has until Monday to present a new national conscription plan. A majority of Israelis have long viewed the exemption from military service as unfair, further stoking tensions on the issue.

In an attempt to find a compromise over the draft exemption for ultra-Orthodox individuals, Netanyahu requested a 30-day extension period from the court. The ultra-Orthodox parties in the ruling coalition, who were promised a permanent exemption from military draft, strongly criticized the court's decision, referring to it as a "mark of Cain."

However, centrist lawmakers who joined Netanyahu's war cabinet in October supported the court's ruling, citing the need for additional troops amidst the threats posed by Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Benny Gantz, a war cabinet member and opposition leader, emphasized that the crux of the matter lies in the necessity for soldiers during a difficult war, and the importance of every citizen participating in serving their country.

The exemption issue has rendered deep divisions within Netanyahu's fragile government, comprising both secular and ultra-Orthodox Jewish lawmakers, who hold differing perspectives on the court's ruling. If the ultra-Orthodox members of the coalition choose to exit the government over the issue, it could trigger a new election, a potentially tumultuous scenario for Netanyahu, who has recently witnessed a decline in popularity.

For decades, while most Israelis have been required to enlist in the military followed by reserve duty, ultra-Orthodox Jews have enjoyed the privilege of studying Torah full time and receiving government stipends instead. This exemption has generated resentment among the wider population, particularly as the nation endures its sixth month of war, with over 500 soldiers losing their lives and tens of thousands of Israelis uprooted by reserve duty call-ups.

As the Israeli government grapples with the Supreme Court's order and the divisive issue of draft exemption, the nation finds itself at a critical crossroads, balancing the need for unity during a challenging war while addressing long-standing concerns of discrimination and fairness in military service.