Israel protests: Lakhs of ultra-Orthodox Jews take to Jerusalem streets to oppose military conscription proposal

Since Israel’s establishment, full-time students enrolled in religious seminaries, or yeshivas, have been exempt from conscription, though some members of the Haredi community do choose to serve. However, calls for greater participation have grown louder amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

Authorities shut down roads across Jerusalem ahead of the protest — one of the largest anti-conscription rallies by ultra-Orthodox Israelis in years. The event drew together diverse groups within the community, which represents roughly 14% of Israel’s population.

What binds them is their shared opposition to expanding conscription and frustration over the recent arrests of hundreds of Haredi men accused of draft evasion. Many in the community fear that such measures threaten their traditional way of life.

At the same time, a large section of Israeli society believes the Haredim are not contributing equally during wartime. Integrating them into the military could ease a manpower shortage, yet military officials worry that accommodating their strict religious practices and beliefs would pose significant challenges.

Youth falls to death

During the protests, a 20-year-old fell to his death from a high-rise building at the centre of Jerusalem where protesters had gathered. Hundreds had spread across several floors of the under-construction building, climbing up using cranes, to protest the proposed conscription mandate.

Isolated incidents of violence were also reported by The Times of Israel.

IDF needs 12,000 more soldiers

Israel has a pressing need for soldiers. The two-year long war with the Hamas has drained Israel of need. Its conflicts with Palestine, Lebanon, Qatar, Yemen, Tunisia, and Syria have further strained both its manpower and its resources.

The IDF said that it now needs at least 12,000 men to be pressed for military services.

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