Ultra-Orthodox Jews protest mandatory military draft near west Jerusalem

JERUSALEM

Dozens of ultra-Orthodox Jews demonstrated near west Jerusalem on Monday against mandatory military conscription of their community.

Videos circulating on Israeli social media platforms showed dozens of Haredi protesters wearing traditional black clothing blocking Route 38 near the city of Beit Shemesh.

Police said its forces intervened to disperse the protesters on Highway 38 and at the entrance to west Jerusalem and managed to reopen the road.

“Rioters set up roadblocks, disrupting traffic and preventing vehicles from passing by standing in the roadway,” police added in a statement.

Tensions between police and Haredi protesters have escalated in recent months as the community continues to oppose military conscription.

The protests followed a 2024 Supreme Court ruling that struck down exemptions long granted to ultra-Orthodox men and barred state funding for religious seminaries whose students refuse to enlist.

Haredi, who make up about 13% of Israel’s population of 10 million, claim military service threatens their religious identity and community structure, as they dedicate their lives to Torah study. Prominent rabbis have urged followers to reject the draft and “tear up enlistment orders.”

For decades, most ultra-Orthodox men avoided service through repeated deferments for religious study until reaching the exemption age, currently set at 26.

Opposition lawmakers have accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of pushing legislation to permanently exempt the Haredi to satisfy demands by the ultra-Orthodox Shas and United Torah Judaism parties, both of which left the coalition last year but are expected to rejoin once such a law passes.

*Writing by Rania Abushamala in Istanbul.