While the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is often described as the struggle shaping Israel, tensions between religious and secular (or less religious) Jewish Israelis is the other major factor defining the modern Jewish state. Israel’s ultra-Orthodox sector is strong and growing: Military service is mandatory for all 18-year-old Jewish Israelis. (Arab and Palestinian citizens of Israel, who make up 20 percent of the population, are exempt.) The future of Israel — and its military: Israeli pundits had speculated that Liberman, who used to be close with Netanyahu, could be posturing to bring down the prime minister, who he now opposes. Indeed, military service is viewed as a vital duty and source of national cohesion for Jewish Israelis.

Source: Washington Post May 29, 2019 18:34 UTC