Israel’s Haredim have escalated their protests against military service in recent weeks, underscoring growing divisions ahead of national elections.
For the first time in decades, ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel are being called to serve in the country’s military. The community is furious, with protesters and military-age men openly defying the draft.
Hundreds of thousands took to the streets of Jerusalem on Thursday to protest against efforts to end an exemption from military service for Israel’s Haredi religious students.
The conflict over compulsory service for the nation’s ultra-Orthodox has become a stand-in for a larger struggle over the country’s right-wing, religious turn — and could determine its future.
Ultra-Orthodox Israelis, exempt for decades from military service, are now being drafted. Their rage is dividing Israel and threatening Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition.
Ultra-Orthodox Israelis, exempt for decades from military service, are now being drafted. Their rage is dividing Israel and threatening Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition.
Some of the prime minister’s political allies have quit over a proposal to make religious students serve in military, and more are threatening to do so.
Some of the prime minister’s political allies have quit over a proposal to make religious students serve in military, and more are threatening to do so.