An impending crisis over conscripting ultra-Orthodox Jews into the Israeli army is threatening to undermine Israel's government and split the country.
Public opinion on the issue has shifted dramatically in Israel after two years of war, and this is now perhaps the most explosive political risk facing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Lawmakers are currently considering a draft bill to end the exemption granted to ultra-Orthodox men enrolled in full-time religious study, established when the State of Israel was declared in 1948.
That exemption was ruled illegal by Israel's High Court of Justice almost 20 years ago. Temporary arrangements to continue it were formally ended by the court last year, forcing the government to begin drafting the community.
Some 24,000 draft notices were issued last year, but only around 1,200 ultra-Orthodox - or Haredi - draftees reported for duty, according to military testimony given to lawmakers.
Tensions are erupting onto the streets, with lawmakers now debating a new draft bill to force ultra-Orthodox men into military service alongside other Israeli Jews.
Two Haredi politicians were targeted this month by some extreme ultra-Orthodox protesters, who are furious with parliament's discussion of the proposed law.
And last week, a special Border Police unit had to rescue Military Police officers who were targeted by a large crowd of Haredi men as they tried to arrest a suspected draft-evader.
These arrests have sparked the creation of a new messaging system called Black Alert to spread word quickly through ultra-Orthodox communities and summon protesters to prevent arrests taking place.
The push to conscript more ultra-Orthodox also triggered a vast protest by tens of thousands of Haredi men in Jerusalem last month - with the issue seen by many as part of a wider conflict around the identity of the Jewish state, and the place of religion within it.
So far, the changes have not yet penetrated the walls of the Kisse Rahamim yeshiva in Bnei Brak, where traditional religious studies continue unabated. The head of the yeshiva, Rabbi Tzemach Mazuz, believes that continuous prayer protects the soldiers and maintains that studying Torah is vital for Israel's military success.
The ultra-Orthodox population has more than doubled its share of Israel's population over the past seven decades, now accounting for 14%. Calls for equitability in military service are growing among the general public, heightening the pressure on the current political landscape.
Despite the rising support for ultra-Orthodox conscription, ultra-Orthodox parties are crucial to Netanyahu's coalition government and their continued existence may hinge on maintaining the exemption. It is a precarious balance as the nation stands at a crossroads regarding identity, military service, and its religious foundations.
As the legislative process unfolds, the potential repercussions of this bill could shape Israel's future, making it a closely watched development both locally and internationally.
