Israeli cabinet OKs army draft rejig bill ISRAEL'S cabinet has approved a plan that would gradually end a contentious system that has granted automatic draft exemptions to Jewish ultra-Orthodox seminary students. Under a longstanding system, thousands of young men are allowed to skip compulsory military service to pursue religious studies. This has caused widespread resentment among secular Jewish Israelis. The new system, which needs parliamentary approval, would reduce the number of exemptions and require ultra-Orthodox men to register for service. It would go into effect in three years. In cabinet fourteen ministers voted in favour of the legislation, four ministers abstained and none voted against. The draft was a central issue in January elections and propelled Yesh Atid, the secular rights party behind the new regulations, into the government. Finance Minister and Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid called it "a historic day." After 65 years, we finally end this distortion. We are all very excited," he told reporters. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday the law will be implemented "gradually." Ultra-Orthodox religious leaders and MPs spoke of a "sad day" for Judaism. Many strictly religious Jews believe that by studying the Torah and serving God they are defending Israelis.