Liberman refused to join the government over a proposed military conscription bill for ultra-Orthodox Jews, or haredim (literally 'ones who tremble' before God). ... They feel that ultra-Orthodox Jews want to impose their way of life on everyone. ..…

But most of the rabbis of ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi, Jews saw Zionist movement as heretical. ..…

Today, more than 40,000 ultra-Orthodox Jews abstain from military service. . ... Avigdor Lieberman sides with the traditional and secular Jews. He wants the law overhauled to require more ultra-Orthodox Jews to enter military service. . ..…