Israel's cabinet extends mandatory IDF service amid haredi draft controversy, sparking criticism

Israel's cabinet approved on Friday putting to vote the extension of the mandatory service time for IDF soldiers to 36 months, a total of three years, Israeli media reported on Friday morning. 

If the decision receives final approval, it will be in place for the next eight years. Another vote at the next cabinet meeting will take place on Sunday.

The approval came days after Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's harsh criticism, in which he accused cabinet members of getting involved in the issue for political reasons. 

Following the announcement, the Movement for Quality Government in Israel condemned the decision to extend the military service to 36 months while over 60,00 yeshiva students continue to benefit from illegal exemption from conscription, according to a statement the organization released on Friday.

'Serious violation of equality'

"This is a scandalous decision, a moral injustice, and a crime against those who beat the burden of service."

Movement for Quality Government in Israel Chairman Dr. Eliad Shraga stated, "The extension of service for IDF soldiers while the government ignores the Supreme Court ruling and refuses to recruit all eligible yeshiva students is a cynical and outrageous step.

"This is not only a blatant violation of the Supreme Court ruling, but also a serious violation of the principle of equality and the social resilience of Israel.

"We call on the government to immediately rescind the decision to extend compulsory service and to act immediately to recruit all 63,000 draft-eligible yeshiva students as the Supreme Court ruling requires. So long as there is no equal recruitment, there is no moral or legal justification for placing [an] additional burden on the shoulders of those who do serve."