Israeli ultra-Orthodox Jews enlisted in new civil service track

Tens of Israel's ultra-Orthodox Jews are expected to be enlisted in the civil service as part of a newly formed 'National Guard service'. The formation of the new model was made possible due to a legislative vacuum that was created after Tal Law, which exempted ultra-Orthodox Jews engaged in religious studies from military service, expired.

The new recruiting model, "Civil Service Police," was passed by the Israeli government in December 2012 to include Yeshiva students, Ultra-Orthodox Jews who attend institutions that teach Talmud and Torah, in the Civil Service. About 1,300 members of the community will be recruited by August.

With the repeal of Tal Law, which stated that "security service who served in the civil service for a year at least, is exempt from regular service," the Civil Service was left with no authority to absorb new ultra-Orthodox servers.

The police civil service will be a more limited service than the Civil Service operated by Tal Law. It will force new members to choose one of two routes: 40 hours a week for a year or 20 hours per week for two years. In return they will receive the same bonus that citizens who served in regular service receive, plus monthly maintenance fees, depending on family status.

The new model will be valid until the end of August 2013, but many expect an alternative to Tal Law to be passed after the election of a new government, which could bring yet another change to the shaky civil service operations.