Ultra-Orthodox Israelis Protest Against the Military Draft

Jerusalem, 2 May, 2024 (TPS) -- Ultra-orthodox Israelis demonstrated against being drafted for military service in the Israel Defense Forces by blocking a major highway exchange on Thursday. The protest took place on Israel’s Highway 4 – a main artery – near Bnei Brak located east of Tel Aviv and a number of rioters were arrested.

Some of the protestors confronted the police, sat on the road, risked their lives, and even called the police officers “Nazis.” In addition, the protesters tied themselves together using iron chains.

“The Israel Police considers the right to protest as a cornerstone in a democratic country and allows protests as long as they are held within the framework of the law,” said the police in a statement, “at the same time the police will not allow disturbances of any kind or damage to freedom of movement and any behavior that may endanger the safety of the public.”

The demonstrations came as the government of Israel asked the country’s Supreme Court for an extension in implementing its earlier ruling ordering the immediate draft of ultra-orthodox men eligible for military service.

Until now, they have enjoyed draft deferments by studying in Yeshivas (Tora study academies) indefinitely, turning the deferments into exemptions. However, the Supreme Court found the practice to be unjust and ordered the government to immediately cut off all support payments to yeshivas for each student who has not performed his obligatory military service.

Bnei Brak, May 2, 2024
Photo by Shimon Baruch/TPS