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Pope Francis denounces drug traffickers as ‘murderers’ and criticizes drug liberalization laws at UN event

Venus L Peñaflor
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Pope Francis denounces drug traffickers as ‘murderers’ and criticizes drug liberalization laws at UN event

ROME. In a powerful address marking the United Nations’ International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Pope Francis condemned drug traffickers as ‘murderers’ and criticized drug liberalization laws as a ‘fantasy.’

During his weekly catechism lesson on Wednesday, Pope Francis dedicated the session to addressing the issue of drug abuse. He emphasized the need for increased prevention efforts and care for addicts, urging the faithful to recognize the human dignity of those suffering from addiction.

Reflecting on his years of ministry in the slums of Buenos Aires, where the cheap and highly addictive drug “paco” devastated communities, the Argentine Jesuit underscored his long-standing commitment to visiting recovering addicts during his foreign trips.

Departing from his usual Biblical theme, Pope Francis highlighted the successful efforts of certain countries and programs in educating young people about the dangers of drug use and the “scandal” of trafficking. He firmly rejected the notion that drug liberalization could reduce addiction rates.

“A reduction in drug addiction is not achieved by liberalizing drug use, as has been proposed, or already implemented, in some countries,” he asserted. “This is a fantasy. You liberalize, they just consume more.”

Pope Francis stressed the moral imperative to eradicate the production and trafficking of dangerous substances, condemning traffickers as “murderers” and “traffickers of death” driven by greed and power. He called on them to repent and change their ways, while also advocating for compassionate care for addicts and legislative support for prevention efforts.

“We too are called to act, to pause before situations of fragility and pain, to know how to listen to the cry of loneliness and anguish, to stoop to lift and bring back to life those who fall into the slavery of drugs,” he urged.

In his address, Pope Francis emphasized the collective responsibility to support those afflicted by addiction and to combat the pervasive influence of drug trafficking on society.

Major cyberattack hits over 40 Indonesian agencies, disrupts immigration services and airports

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Major cyberattack hits over 40 Indonesian agencies, disrupts immigration services and airports

JAKARTA. In a significant cyberattack, more than 40 Indonesian agencies, including the ministry overseeing immigration, were targeted, causing widespread disruption to immigration services and operations at major airports across the country. This attack is considered the worst Indonesia has faced in recent years.

Usman Kansong, an official from the communications ministry, confirmed that 44 government agencies, including key ministries, were victims of a ransomware attack. “Data at five agencies, including immigration services and the coordinating ministry of investment, have been restored, and the government is working to restore data at 39 other agencies,” Kansong said. He added, “We expect the data at 18 government agencies to be restored by the end of this month.”

During a joint press conference with the ministry, Harlan Wijanarko, director of the Telkom Group, sought to reassure the public about the security of their data. “We have isolated the system in the national data centre so no one can enter it. We cut the access from the outside,” Wijanarko stated, noting that an investigation into the cause of the attack is ongoing.

The Telkom Group operates two major data centers in Indonesia, located in Jakarta and Surabaya, which are critical for storing data for all government agencies. The Surabaya data center was identified as the target of the attack.

Earlier this week, Indonesia’s communications ministry revealed that the attackers used malicious software known as Lockbit 3.0 and demanded an $8 million ransom, which the government refused to pay. The Lockbit cybercrime group is notorious for using ransomware to extort victims by encrypting their data and demanding payments in cryptocurrency in exchange for a decryption key.

The Indonesian government is working diligently to restore affected systems and ensure the security of its data infrastructure in the wake of this unprecedented cyberattack.

NATO selects Netherlands’ Mark Rutte as next secretary general

EDGARDO HERNAL
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NATO selects Netherlands’ Mark Rutte as next secretary general

BRUSSELS. NATO has chosen Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as its next Secretary-General in a significant decision amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and uncertainties surrounding the U.S.’s stance on the transatlantic alliance.

Rutte’s appointment was solidified after his sole competitor, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, withdrew from the race last week due to a lack of support. Rutte is set to assume the role on October 1, taking over from Norway’s Jens Stoltenberg, who has held the position for a decade.

The decision was made by ambassadors from NATO’s 32 member countries during a meeting at the organization’s headquarters in Brussels. Rutte expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating, “The Alliance is and will remain the cornerstone of our collective security. Leading this organization is a responsibility I do not take lightly,” in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Rutte, who has been a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin and a strong supporter of Ukraine, received early endorsements from key NATO members, including the United States, Britain, France, and Germany. Despite initial reservations from Eastern European nations, who argued for a leader from their region, they ultimately supported Rutte’s candidacy.

Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Rutte’s selection warmly, saying, “Mark is a true transatlanticist, a strong leader, and a consensus-builder. I know I am leaving NATO in good hands.”

As he transitions from nearly 14 years as the Dutch Prime Minister to NATO’s top post, Rutte will face the challenge of maintaining allied support for Ukraine while preventing NATO from being directly drawn into the conflict with Russia. He will also need to navigate the potential return of NATO-skeptic Donald Trump to the White House, a prospect that has caused concern among NATO leaders given Trump’s previous questioning of U.S. commitments to the alliance.

Rutte’s leadership comes at a critical time for NATO, as the alliance continues to adapt to new geopolitical realities and strive for unity in the face of external threats.

Isyu ng stolen identity: Alice Guo may kapangalan sa NBI record

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Isyu ng stolen identity: Alice Guo may kapangalan sa NBI record

MAYNILA. Lumutang kahapon ang isyu ng stolen identity sa panig ni suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo matapos isiwalat ni Sen. Risa Hontiveros na isa pang Alice Guo ang may record sa National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) pero magkaiba ang larawan.

Sa pagpapatuloy ng pagdinig sa sinalakay na POGO hub sa Bamban, Tarlac, kinuwestyon ni Hontiveros ang tunay na pagkakakilanlan ni Guo matapos iprisinta ang nakasaad sa NBI document na litrato ng dalawang Alice Leal Guo na magkapareho ang birthday na Hulyo 12, 1986 at parehong Tarlac ang lugar ng kapanganakan.

“Is it a coincidence na may dalawang Alice Leal Guo na pinanganak on July 12, 1986, sa Tarlac? Is it a coincidence that this NBI clearance was applied just a few days before the date of filing of the delayed registration of birth of the other Alice Leal Guo in Tarlac City? Or is this a case of stolen identity?” tanong ni Hontiveros.

Tinanong din ni Hontiveros kung sino ang babae na nasa larawan at nasaan na ito sa ngayon. “Has Guo Haping assumed the identity of a Filipino woman and then nearly a decade later, ran for public office? Sino po ang babaeng ito na may pangalang Alice Leal Guo pero hindi kamukha ni Mayor? Nasaan na po siya ngayon?” dagdag pa ni Hontiveros.

Nauna rito, inilabas ni Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian ang record mula sa Board of Investments na aplikasyon ng pamilya Guo para sa Special Investors Resident Visa (SIRV) kung saan nakalagay doon na isang Guo Hua Ping ang pumasok sa Pilipinas noong Enero 12, 2003 noong 13-anyos pa lamang ito.

Hiningi na ni Hontiveros sa NBI ang biometrics ni Guo Hua Ping at Mayor Alice Guo para ikumpara ang kanilang fingerprints. Kinuwestiyon din ni Hontiveros kung bakit kailangan pang nakawin umano ni Guo Hua Ping ang pagkatao ni Miss Alice Leal Guo kung mayroon na siyang validly-issued investor’s visa.

Ang mga tanong na ito ay nagdudulot ng malaking isyu sa pagkakakilanlan ng nasabing opisyal at inaasahang magbibigay ng kaliwanagan sa mga susunod na pagdinig.

Israeli lawsuit accuses UN agency of aiding Hamas through dollar payments

Venus L Peñaflor
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Israeli lawsuit accuses UN agency of aiding Hamas through dollar payments

NEW YORK. Israelis who were taken hostage or lost loved ones during Hamas’ October 7 attack have filed a lawsuit against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The suit claims that UNRWA has indirectly financed Hamas by paying its Gaza-based staff in U.S. dollars, which are allegedly funneled through money-changers who provide a cut to the militant group.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in a U.S. federal court in New York, marks a significant challenge to UNRWA, which has been a crucial provider of food, water, and shelter to civilians during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The Israeli government has long criticized the agency, and the scrutiny has intensified during the eight-month-long war. UNRWA has been compelled to defend itself amidst a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The lawsuit states, “UNRWA’s staff, facilities, and ability to truck U.S. dollars into Gaza formed a potent pillar of Hamas’ plan to undertake the Oct. 7 attack,” accusing the U.N. agency of systematically aiding Hamas.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini responded to the allegations, stating that he learned about the lawsuit through the media and considered it an additional pressure tactic against the agency. “I don’t know what the status of this lawsuit is all about, but for the time being, I see this as an additional way to put pressure on the agency,” Lazzarini said at a press briefing in Geneva.

The agency has denied any deliberate support for Hamas or other militant groups. UNRWA spokesperson Juliette Touma explained that staffers in Gaza requested payment in U.S. dollars because the region lacks an official national currency. “Gaza does not have an official national currency,” Touma said, emphasizing that the agency and its officials are immune from lawsuits.

The plaintiffs, including survivors of the October 7 attack, victims’ relatives, and rescued captives, allege that the dollar payments are converted to Israeli shekels by local money-changers, who are claimed to be controlled by Hamas. The complaint asserts that Hamas extracts a fee from these transactions, ensuring a portion of UNRWA’s payroll benefits the militant group.

“Hamas’ ability to carry out the Oct. 7 attack would have been significantly and possibly fatally weakened without that UNRWA-provided cash,” the lawsuit claims. It references a 2018 UNRWA-commissioned report that noted the risks of misappropriation and diversion of aid.

The conflict has seen severe casualties, with around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, killed in the Hamas attack, and more than 37,000 Palestinians killed in the subsequent war, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The lawsuit underscores longstanding complaints from the Israeli government about UNRWA, including accusations that the agency employs Hamas operatives and uses biased educational materials in its schools.

Since the onset of the conflict, over 1.7 million people have sought refuge in UNRWA facilities, with at least 500 displaced individuals killed in attacks on these sites. The agency has lost nearly 200 staff members.

The allegations have led to the suspension of hundreds of millions of dollars in contributions to UNRWA from the U.S. and other countries, though most have resumed their funding. Lazzarini indicated that new donors have also come forward, but the agency still faces a significant financial shortfall.

Two U.N. officials warned on Tuesday that Gaza aid operations could be suspended unless protections for humanitarian workers improve. Israel has accused UNRWA of allowing Hamas to exploit its resources, a claim that has added to the international scrutiny of the agency’s operations.

Philippines demands clarification from U.S. over alleged anti-vax propaganda operation

Venus L Peñaflor
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Philippines demands clarification from U.S. over alleged anti-vax propaganda operation

MANILA. The Philippines government remains persistent in seeking clarification from the Pentagon regarding a covert U.S. propaganda operation aimed at sowing doubt among Filipinos about Chinese vaccines during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a senior official from the foreign ministry revealed on Tuesday.

A recent investigation by Reuters, published on June 14, exposed how the Pentagon orchestrated a clandestine campaign from 2020 to 2021 to discredit the Sinovac vaccine and other pandemic aid from China across several developing nations. This operation was part of broader efforts by the United States to counter China’s growing influence globally, particularly in Southeast Asia, and began during the administration of former President Donald Trump, continuing into President Joseph Biden’s tenure.

“We have not received an official and formal response yet on confirmation, denial, or anything. We are waiting for that. We continue to monitor and ask for information,” stated Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga, Assistant Secretary for Foreign Affairs, addressing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s ongoing investigation into the U.S. information campaign.

Chan-Gonzaga noted that upon the publication of the Reuters report, the Philippine foreign ministry promptly engaged with the U.S. embassy in Manila through established diplomatic channels but was redirected to the U.S. Department of Defense for further inquiries.

In response to queries on Tuesday, the U.S. embassy directed Reuters to the Defense Department for comments.

As cited in the June 14 Reuters report, a senior official from the Defense Department acknowledged the military’s involvement in the secret campaign aimed at undermining confidence in China’s vaccine, though specifics were withheld.

Senator Imee Marcos, chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, condemned the U.S. military’s actions as “evil, wicked, dangerous, unethical.” Marcos, sister of Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., highlighted the staggering toll of COVID-19 in the country, stating that the number of infections had surpassed 4.1 million with nearly 67,000 deaths, according to World Health Organization data, making the Philippines one of the worst affected nations in Southeast Asia.

During the Senate committee hearing on Tuesday, Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire acknowledged health officials’ concerns about vaccine misinformation, initially perceived as sporadic rather than orchestrated.

The Philippines government continues to await a formal response from the U.S. authorities regarding the alleged propaganda operation, underscoring the significance of transparency and accountability in international relations amid ongoing global health challenges.

Reuters uncovered over 300 accounts on X (formerly Twitter) resembling profiles described by former U.S. military sources familiar with operations in the Philippines. These accounts, created mostly in the summer of 2020, prominently featured the hashtag #Chinaangvirus, a Tagalog phrase implying China was the source of the virus.

A typical July 2020 tweet in Tagalog stated, “COVID came from China and the VACCINE also came from China, don’t trust China!” alongside a photo of a syringe, a Chinese flag, and a graph depicting rising infections. Another post declared, “From China – PPE, Face Mask, Vaccine: FAKE. But the Coronavirus is real.”

Upon Reuters’ inquiry, X removed these profiles, determining them part of a coordinated bot campaign based on activity patterns and internal data.

Reuters investigation revealed that the U.S. military’s anti-vaccine initiative commenced in spring 2020, extending beyond Southeast Asia until mid-2021. Tailoring the campaign for diverse regions like Central Asia and the Middle East, the Pentagon utilized fake accounts across various platforms to sow distrust in China’s vaccines, leveraging concerns about pork gelatin content to suggest they violated Islamic dietary laws.

Initiated under former President Donald Trump and persisting into President Joe Biden’s administration, the program continued despite warnings from social media executives. The Biden administration halted the anti-vax efforts in spring 2021, which also targeted vaccines from other competitors, prompting an internal Pentagon review.

South Korean military detects 350 North Korean waste balloons as tensions escalate

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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South Korean military detects 350 North Korean waste balloons as tensions escalate

SEOUL. South Korea reported the sighting of 350 North Korean balloons suspected to be carrying waste overnight on Monday, intensifying the ongoing tit-for-tat exchange as tensions escalate on the Korean Peninsula.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that one of the suspected balloons was observed flying over northern Gyeonggi Province, adjacent to Seoul, around 9 p.m. local time (8 p.m. ET). Approximately 100 of these balloons landed in various regions of South Korea, predominantly in northern Gyeonggi Province and the capital city of Seoul, with authorities confirming no hazardous substances have been detected so far.

In response to the incursion, Seoul’s Metropolitan government issued a push notification urging citizens to avoid touching any balloons found on the ground and to promptly report sightings to the authorities.

The South Korean military indicated readiness to resume loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts at the border, a tactic paused in recent years, contingent upon North Korea’s actions.

“Our military stands prepared to initiate anti-North Korea propaganda broadcasts at any moment and will adapt our response according to the strategic and operational situation,” stated the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Tuesday.

Since May, North Korea has launched over 1,000 balloons toward South Korea in retaliation against South Korean activists who have flown leaflets critical of Kim Jong Un’s regime.

Last week, a South Korean advocacy group deployed 20 large balloons carrying anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets and South Korean entertainment USB sticks toward North Korea, triggering a response from Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korea’s leader.

“When you defy clear warnings, you invite inevitable consequences,” Kim Yo Jong warned in a statement.

A South Korean analysis conducted between late May and early June revealed the presence of parasites in the soil from North Korean balloons, possibly originating from human feces. The analysis identified roundworms, whipworms, and larva currens, alongside cloth and wastepaper, though authorities assured the public there was no risk of contamination or infectious disease.

Furthermore, the balloons contained damaged clothing from a South Korean brand, signaling hostility toward South Korean products, as well as apparel featuring imitations of Disney characters.

The recent escalation in balloon launches coincides with heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula and stalled inter-Korean diplomacy. Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a defense agreement with North Korea amidst discussions on its nuclear disarmament efforts. Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un has reiterated intentions to expand North Korea’s nuclear arsenal and has issued threats against South Korea.

In a show of support, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier arrived in South Korea over the weekend ahead of trilateral military exercises with South Korea and Japan in the peninsula’s waters. This deployment underscores Washington’s commitment to its alliance with South Korea.

On the diplomatic front, U.S., South Korean, and Japanese officials held trilateral discussions, expressing deep concern over the growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.

“The United States, ROK, and Japan strongly condemn the increasing military collaboration between the DPRK and Russia, including arms transfers that violate UN Security Council Resolutions and threaten regional stability,” a joint statement from the officials affirmed.

Amid these developments, South Korea and the United States signed a new memorandum of understanding for enhanced diplomatic intelligence sharing and analysis on Monday, underscoring ongoing efforts to address regional security challenges.

Violent clashes in Nairobi as Kenyan police fire live rounds at tax protesters

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Violent clashes in Nairobi as Kenyan police fire live rounds at tax protesters

NAIROBI, Kenya. Chaos engulfed Kenya’s capital on Tuesday as thousands of protesters stormed the parliament building in Nairobi, setting parts of it ablaze and forcing legislators to flee, marking one of the most direct challenges to the government in decades. Journalists witnessed scenes of unrest with at least three bodies seen outside the complex where police had opened fire.

The protests erupted in response to a new finance bill that proposes additional taxes in a country known as East Africa’s economic hub, where frustrations over the high cost of living have long simmered. Despite vehement opposition, lawmakers voted to pass the bill before evacuating through a tunnel as protesters, predominantly youth, breached security to enter parliament. Protesters reportedly allowed opposition legislators who voted against the bill to leave the besieged building unharmed, and firefighters later extinguished the flames.

Amid the escalating turmoil, one protester killed was wrapped in the Kenyan flag, symbolizing the depth of discontent among demonstrators. The unrest quickly spread to other parts of the country, underscoring the widespread dissatisfaction.

Kenya’s government initially offered no immediate comment as internet service noticeably slowed across the country. President William Ruto, who was attending an African Union retreat outside Nairobi, was expected to sign the finance bill into law within the week, with a two-week window to act.

Meanwhile, near parliament, the office of Nairobi’s governor, a member of the ruling party, was briefly engulfed in flames, prompting police to deploy water cannons to douse the fire. Protesters chanted, “We’re coming for every politician,” reflecting their anger and determination.

In response to the protests, police resorted to firing live ammunition and tear gas canisters, targeting demonstrators seeking medical aid at a church-based medical tent near the parliament complex. Kenyatta National Hospital reported receiving 45 victims, though their conditions were not immediately disclosed.

The Kenya Human Rights Commission condemned the police actions, sharing footage of officers shooting at protesters and demanding accountability. The commission urged President Ruto to intervene immediately to halt the violence.

Amid these domestic challenges, hundreds of Kenyan police officers, accused in the past of human rights abuses, recently deployed to Haiti as part of a UN-backed multinational force to combat local gangs, despite legal challenges in Kenya.

President Ruto attempted to defuse tensions earlier in the week, expressing pride in the youth for their civic engagement and promising dialogue on their concerns. However, frustrations have mounted over soaring fuel prices and other necessities, exacerbating inequality and discontent across the nation.

As protests intensified in Nairobi, similar demonstrations erupted in other cities like Nakuru and Embu, where protesters attempted to storm government buildings and burned ruling party offices, according to local media reports. Police clashes were also reported in Nyeri.

Media freedom has come under threat amidst the unrest, with broadcasters like KTN facing government pressure to cease coverage of the protests. Civil society groups have raised alarms about alleged police abductions of activists and demonstrators, with reports of disappearances increasing.

Parliament Speaker Moses Wetangula has demanded answers from the inspector general of police regarding the whereabouts of those reportedly abducted, amid calls for transparency and accountability.

Pagtaas ng presyo ng galunggong at ibang isda, kinuwestiyon ng agri goup

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Pagtaas ng presyo ng galunggong at ibang isda, kinuwestiyon ng agri goup

MAYNILA. Kinuwestiyon ng Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) nitong Martes ang biglaang pagtaas ng presyo ng galunggong at iba pang isda, sa kabila ng sinasabi ng mga grupo na sapat naman ang suplay.

Batay sa pinakahuling datos ng Department of Agriculture (DA), umabot sa P180 hanggang P280 kada kilo ang presyo ng galunggong sa Metro Manila mula sa P160 hanggang P260 noong nakaraang linggo.

“Dapat nasa P200 or P180 lang ang presyo dapat ng galunggong. Hindi na dapat tumaas pa doon,” ani SINAG Chairperson Rosendo So sa isang pahayag.

Ayon sa Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), patuloy nilang iniimbestigahan ang sanhi ng pagtaas ng presyo. Sinabi rin ng ahensya na naapektuhan ang suplay ng isda dahil sa mga kamakailang pag-ulan.

“Wala tayo nakataas na closed fishing season so tuluy-tuloy yung pangingisda ng ating mga mangingisda maliban lamang kung may sama ng panahon,” pahayag ni BFAR Chief Information Officer Nazzer Briguera.

Sinabi rin ng Department of Agriculture (DA) na pinalalakas nila ang industriya ng aquaculture sa bansa. Binigyang-diin nila ang kahalagahan ng saradong panahon ng pangingisda upang mapanatili ang suplay ng isda.

Israel Supreme Court ends draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews

Venus L Peñaflor
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Israel Supreme Court ends draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews

JERUSALEM. Israel’s Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling on Tuesday, mandating the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students into the military, a decision that intensifies political tensions for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid a fragile coalition government.

Netanyahu’s Likud party described the Supreme Court’s decision as “perplexing,” citing ongoing efforts in parliament to formulate a new conscription law to address the issue. The ruling challenges the longstanding exemptions enjoyed by ultra-Orthodox parties, crucial allies in Netanyahu’s coalition, who view military service as incompatible with their religious practices.

Leaders of the ultra-Orthodox parties expressed disappointment but refrained from immediate threats to the government. However, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s support for drafting seminary students could strain Netanyahu’s coalition further.

The exemption has been a contentious issue as Israel grapples with military demands heightened by conflicts with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The court’s unanimous decision underscored the inequality of shouldering military burdens during wartime.

Under Israeli law, citizens are obligated to serve in the military from age 18 for 24 to 32 months. Most of the Arab minority is exempt, and ultra-Orthodox seminary students have historically been exempt as well. Last year, the legal basis for their exemption expired, yet they continued to be excused from service until the Supreme Court’s recent ruling.

In addition to ending exemptions, the court ruled that seminaries would lose state subsidies if scholars do not serve without deferrals or exemptions, further pressuring the ultra-Orthodox coalition.

Education Minister Yoav Kisch expressed hope for compromise amidst ongoing societal and military challenges. “Not in a civil war, not amidst a tough conflict. We can resolve this together,” Kisch stated.

Political analysts view the ruling as a significant challenge for Netanyahu, who has sought to defer the resolution of the conscription issue. “He will try to delay and mitigate the issue’s impact on public discourse,” said Gideon Rahat of the Israel Democracy Institute.

Ultra-Orthodox lawmaker Moshe Gafni criticized the ruling, emphasizing the value of Torah study to Jewish heritage. Opposition parties welcomed the decision, with former defense minister Avigdor Lieberman rejecting the notion of evading military service.

For years, Israel has grappled with legislation to address the conscription issue, which could now potentially destabilize Netanyahu’s government if consensus on a new draft bill fails.

The exemption has sparked protests among Israelis concerned about unequal military burdens, while ultra-Orthodox demonstrators have protested under the slogan “death before conscription,” blocking city streets.

Economically, the exemption impacts Israel’s workforce, with the ultra-Orthodox population expected to grow significantly, straining welfare resources.

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