Voting Matters: Israel (part 2)
In Israel elections for the new Knesset are to be held in 2019. The Knesset is the country's legislative body, similar to that of the US House of Representatives and the Senate. Generally the elections take place every fours years, but in 2019 there are hints of there being an early election. This is due to a disagreement in military, one sought after by Hasidic Jew. The prime minister of Israel is threatening to replace the Knesset early in order to get a revised law passed that would increase the amount of ultra- orthodox civilians being enlisted into the military. Men and women in Israel are usually drafted at age 18 and serve a compulsory two years in the military. However the Hasidic Jews and Jews that are ultra-orthodox have been exempt from the mandatory military service. This has caused a rift in the Jewish communities in Israel, and Prime Minister Nethanyauh has been pushing for reform. There is favor among citizens to have an early election to help resolve the issue. The United Torah Judaism or UTJ is the head of the ultra- orthodox party that is leading the opposition against the law being passed. Members of the Knesset are asking for an extension for the law, in hope that the issue can be resolved one way or another. But if the High Court of Israel refuses the extension, then by September all ultra- orthodox men will be enlisted this coming September. But most members of the Knesset are in support of the law being passed, and doing so will take the political sting out of the next election. Currently a final draft of the law is being processed and will be brought forward and voted on this coming January.
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