Thousands of Ultra-Orthodox Protest in Jerusalem Against Military Draft

3 days ago7 min read

JERUSALEM—A massive protest erupted in Jerusalem on Thursday as tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox men filled the city's streets, voicing fierce opposition to potential military conscription. The demonstration marks a critical juncture in a long-simmering national debate over mandatory service exemptions for the Haredi community, posing a severe threat to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition.For generations, most ultra-Orthodox men have been exempt from the mandatory military service required of other Jewish Israelis—a practice dating back to the state's founding. Initially intended for a few hundred yeshiva scholars, this exemption now applies to over 60,000 military-age Haredi men.The Israeli Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled this system unsustainable and a violation of equality, creating a demographic and legal pressure cooker. The immediate crisis was triggered when a court-mandated grace period for legislative action expired in late March, halting state subsidies for many yeshiva students and forcing the government to address the issue.Protesters, who view full-time Torah study as their essential contribution to the Jewish people, chanted, 'We will die rather than be drafted,' echoing historical Haredi resistance to conscription. Meanwhile, with Israel engaged in a demanding war in Gaza and ongoing conflict on its northern border, public resentment is mounting.Many soldiers and reservists have endured repeated deployments, and the sight of mass Haredi protests against service has intensified calls for shared burden. Opposition leader Benny Gantz has accused the government of yielding to political pressure, while Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has refused to endorse any draft bill lacking broad consensus, insisting it must be 'equal and enforceable.' For Netanyahu, the situation presents a no-win scenario: angering his ultra-Orthodox allies could collapse his coalition, while defying the court risks constitutional chaos and alienating secular supporters. The Jerusalem protest thus represents more than a demonstration—it is a pivotal moment that will shape Israel's social fabric and the balance between religious study and national service for decades to come.

#ultra-Orthodox

#protest

#military draft

#Jerusalem

#Israel

#featured

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