Israeli Supreme Court Jurisprudence on the Conscription of Ultra-Orthodox Students — Recent Developments

The issue of drafting Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) yeshiva students into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has long been at the heart of one of Israel’s most profound and enduring societal conflicts — one that dates back to the founding of the state. This controversy has only deepened in the wake of the most recent war that began on October 7, 2023. Over the years, Israel’s Supreme Court has struck down legislative attempts to regulate the exemption policy, ruling that such laws violate the principle of equality and unfairly discriminate between the Haredi and general populations. Currently, there is no valid law in Israel that specifically regulates the military conscription of Haredim. Recent attempts to pass such legislation in the Knesset have encountered serious political obstacles, particularly in the context of the ongoing war. This lecture by Avi Milikovsky (Senior Attorney, High Court of Justice Department of the Israeli State Attorney’s Office) will explore the legal and societal dimensions of this highly sensitive and contentious issue, which today stands as one of the most critical challenges facing Israeli society.

Avi Milikovsky, Senior Attorney (On Leave), High Court of Justice Department, Israeli State Attorney’s Office

This event is open to UC Berkeley students, faculty, and staff. A kosher lunch will be provided for all registrants beginning at noon in the Goldberg Room. Register here.