Ultra-Orthodox draft

Haredi protesters block major Israeli highway after draft dodger's arrest

Ahead of the protest, police said Highway 4 will be blocked between the Aluf Sade Interchange in Ramat Gan and the Em Hamoshavot Interchange in Petah Tikva.  

Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protesters block Highway 4 over detention of draft dodger, August 12, 2026.
Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yashar party attends a conference in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, July 9, 2026.

Shas invokes IDF soldiers in election campaign ad, drawing Gadi Eisenkot's ire

 THE ZIONIST identity didn’t overcome the Jewish identity, nor did the opposite occur: An IDF soldier puts on tefillin.

National-religious men overrepresented in IDF reserves as haredim stay absent, IDI analysis finds

HAREDI PROTESTERS block Highway 1, June 1, 2026; Illustrative.

Haredi protesters gather at Maccabim checkpoint over reported draft evader arrest - report


IDF preparing to arrest haredi draft dodgers as early as next week - report

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu commended the IDF's haredi Hasmonean Brigade for simultaneously learning Torah and serving, as the IDF prepares to arrest those avoiding military service.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews walk through a forest near the grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in Meron, northern Israel, attempting to reach the Lag BaOmer celebrations after the site was closed by police following Home Front Command restrictions, May 5, 2026.

Eisenkot says Israel must come up with ‘realistic plan’ to draft haredim to IDF

The remarks came after recent criticism over Eisenkot’s stance on drafting haredim to the IDF from opposition party leaders.

Yashar! Party leader Gadi Eisenkot speaks in Herzliya, April 26, 2026; illustrative.

WATCH: Haredi protesters shout 'kill all Jews,' throw stones at police attempting to restore order

The protests follow the ongoing arrests of draft dodgers and the contentious draft bill.

ULTRA-ORTHODOX Jewish men block a road during a protest against the jailing of seminary students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order in Bnei Brak, April 28, 2026.

IDF to step up arresting haredi draft dodgers, requests police's support in operation - report

KAN noted that in the past, Police Commissioner Danny Levy refused to grant the IDF police support of this kind. 

Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish sector has been protesting over the attempts to draft young haredi men into the military.

Anti-draft ultra-Orthodox protesters vandalize police cars in Jerusalem after draft dodger arrested

Officers from the station, as well as members of the police's Special Patrol Unit and Border Police, prevented the protesters from entering and dispersed them "through the usage of force."

Anti-IDF haredi activists Jerusalem Faction activists block the road under Jerusalem's Chords Bridge, April 29, 2026.

IDF faces looming manpower gap as ultra-Orthodox draft fight stalls service extension

The haredi draft issue is growing in urgency as the bill returned to the Knesset agenda amid a coalition crisis that may dissolve the Knesset.

IDF troops active in Southern Lebanon, published on April 28, 2026.

Ultra-Orthodox protesters attempt to invade military police chief's home

Groups of ultra-Orthodox men have upped their protests amid increasing tensions regarding a haredi draft bill in the Knesset. 

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men protest against the jailing of seminary students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order outside the home of Military Police commander Brig. Gen. Yuval Yamin in Ashkelon, May 14, 2026.

Coalition submits bill to dissolve Knesset, vote expected next week

The remarks came on Tuesday, as Bennett outlined his plans for the country if elected, alongside opposition leader Yair Lapid, at the first major campaign event of their newly merged Together party.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Defense Minister Israel Katz and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attend a discussion at the plenum in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem, July 23, 2025.

Knesset unanimously approves law banning the use of 'skunk' liquid at demonstrations

Additionally, any use of a water cannon to disperse a demonstration must be recorded with full visual documentation, ensuring appropriate image quality and audible sound.

Police clash with ultra-Orthodox Jews following a protest against IDF conscription in Jerusalem.

Police arrest one protester as ultra-Orthodox Jews block Jerusalem light rail

A police officer declared the gathering a public disturbance and called on the protesters to clear the road, leading to the arrest of one man.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish clash with police in Jerusalem during a protest against the jailing of seminary students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order, May 7, 2026.