A demonstration by the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, known as the “Haredim,” against military conscription in Israel turned violent yesterday, resulting in the death of a teenage boy during a protest that disrupted access to Jerusalem.
Large crowds, primarily composed of men, blocked roads surrounding Highway 1 leading to Jerusalem. Israeli media estimated that around 200,000 protesters participated in the rally.
Images captured during the event showed some individuals climbing onto building rooftops, a gas station, and cranes. The Israeli ambulance service reported that a 15-year-old boy fell and died during the chaos, prompting the police to initiate an investigation into the incident.
The ongoing debate over mandatory military service and exemptions for certain groups has intensified tensions within the deeply divided Israeli society and increased political pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition over the past year.
Historically, ultra-Orthodox students have been exempted from compulsory military service. Many Israelis express frustration over what they perceive as an unfair burden placed on the mainstream population that fulfills military duties.
This discontent has grown during recent conflicts that have resulted in significant casualties for the Israeli army, marking the deadliest period in decades as fighting has spread from Gaza to Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iran. Consequently, it has fueled heated discussions surrounding a new conscription law.
This issue is central to a crisis facing Netanyahu’s coalition, which came to power in late 2022 for a four-year term. Haredi leaders assert that dedicating oneself entirely to the study of religious texts is sacred, and they fear that military service will divert their youth from religious life.
The massive crowds, most of whom wore traditional black suits and hats, effectively paralyzed traffic at the primary entrance to Jerusalem.
Protester Shmuel Urbach stated, “Currently, individuals who refuse military service are sent to military prison… It’s not that bad. But we are a Jewish country, and you cannot fight Judaism in a Jewish nation; it’s futile.”
However, last year, the Supreme Court ordered an end to the exemptions. The Knesset faces challenges in drafting a new compulsory conscription law that has thus far failed to address the demands of both the ultra-Orthodox community and the already strained military.