Article:
Amidst heated scenes in the Knesset, Israel's parliament pushed forward with a contentious law on conscripting ultra-Orthodox religious students into the military. The vote took place on Monday, as families of some of the Gaza hostages called for stronger action to bring them back home safely.

The timing of this legislation is significant, occurring just a day after former general Benny Gantz resigned from the government due to a disagreement over the strategic objectives of the Gaza war. This vote and the resulting confrontations highlight the complex challenges facing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who now finds himself increasingly reliant on support from right-wing allies.

The conscription bill, initially introduced by Gantz in 2022 during the previous government, is now facing opposition from him. Gantz believes that the proposed measure is inadequate to meet the military's evolving personnel demands. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, the last remaining former general in the government, also broke ranks and voted against the bill.

In contrast, the religious parties within the coalition, who have historically resisted the general expansion of conscription, showed their support for the bill. However, they aim to introduce changes during the review stage. While the legislation proposes a gradual increase of ultra-Orthodox Jews in the military, it also allows for alternatives to military service and imposes limitations on their numbers.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, leader of one of the pro-settler parties in the coalition, stressed the importance of not cornering the ultra-Orthodox community. Smotrich believes that this bill presents an opportunity that should not be missed.

The issue of conscripting ultra-Orthodox men into the military has been a divisive topic in Israel for many decades. Military service has long been considered a crucial aspect of national security, but it has also created resentment among secular Israelis. This issue has become increasingly sensitive, given the ongoing war in Gaza, which has already claimed the lives of over 600 Israeli soldiers.

The shifts in support for this bill highlight the varying perspectives within Israeli society. Assaf Shapira, head of the political reform program at the Israel Democracy Institute, explained that some individuals who previously supported the bill may now oppose it due to changing circumstances, while others who opposed it previously may now see an opportunity to revise it.

Before the vote on the conscription law, tensions ran high during a meeting of the finance committee, where family members of the Gaza hostages confronted Minister Smotrich and demanded further efforts to secure the release of their loved ones. Inbal Tzach, a relative of one of the hostages, expressed the need for the government to exhaust all avenues in bringing the remaining 120 captives back home.

Minister Smotrich, however, dismissed the families' campaign as cynical. He firmly rejected any deals with Hamas and opposed the proposed ceasefire agreement that would exchange hostages for Palestinian prisoners. Smotrich emphasized the need to protect Israel and its people from the existential threat posed by Hamas.

As the legislative process for the conscription law continues, tensions remain high both within the Knesset and among the families of the hostages awaiting their safe return. The path ahead for the bill's approval and implementation will undoubtedly be challenging.