Ultra-Orthodox

Divider-in-chief: How Netanyahu is ruining Israel-Diaspora relations - opinion

While Benjamin Netanyahu frequently speaks with great emphasis about the unity of both the country and the Jewish people, his record in office stands in stark contrast to that declared objective.

Israel Elections: A polling station in Jerusalem, as Israelis vote in their general elections, on March 23, 2021.
Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protesters block Highway 4 near Bnei Brak during an anti-draft protest, December 22, 2025.

Haredi draft dodgers should avoid airports, border crossings to evade arrest, yeshiva council warns

Rabbi Dov Lando, head of the Slabodka yeshiva in Bnei Brak arrives to deliver a lesson at the Mir Yeshiva, in the ultra orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim, Jerusalem, September 19, 2023.

Senior rabbi claims comments attacking religious Zionists' IDF service were misinterpreted

Thousands of Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men from the Gur (Hasidic dynasty) protest outside Military Prison near Kfar Yona, central Israel, against the jailing of seminary students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order, July 20, 2026.

Hundreds of haredim protest outside military prison following draft dodger arrest


Ultra-Orthodox protesters block roads demanding end to IDF recruitment

Some protesters were seen holding signs asking US President Donald Trump to "save" the haredis from being recruited.

Haredi protesters holding signs asking US President Donald Trump to save them from being drafted, July 15, 2026.

Supreme Court denies house arrest for Chaim Rotter, Bnei Brak man accused of rape, targeting minors

The decision came after a Tel Aviv District Court ruled on Sunday that Rotter could be released to house arrest with electronic monitoring in Safed, a move the prosecution opposed.

Chaim Rotter, arrested on suspicion of numerous sex offenses arrives to a court hearing at the Magistrate's Court in Tel Aviv on July 2, 2025.

When Shabbat becomes a battleground - opinion

I sat on my balcony watching around 50 haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men and children harass a new cafe’s patrons and staff in Jerusalem’s city center, angry that it was operating on Shabbat.

POLICE ARE seen dragging an ultra-Orthodox protester away during a demonstration against a cafe operating on Shabbat while secular protesters demonstrate in support of the cafe in central Jerusalem, on July 11, 2026.

Knesset votes to freeze arrests of ultra-Orthodox draft evaders amid IDF manpower crisis

Bill passes 58-54 despite legal warnings, IDF opposition • Netanyahu heckled by opposition lawmakers shouting 'disgrace' before leaving plenum ahead of the vote

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a Knesset vote on a bill to freeze arrests of haredi draft evaders, in Jerusalem, July 14, 2026

Knesset passes contentious haredi-backed bill to enshrine Torah study in Israel's Basic Law

The haredi-backed Basic Law passed its final Knesset votes after weeks of coalition tensions and warnings that it could encourage draft evasion.

MK Yitzhak Goldknopf (United Torah Judaism) attends a House committee meeting at the Knesset, July 12, 2026.

Voting rights and PACs: Solutions for the haredi draft evasion problem - opinion

Our soldiers are exhausted. Over half of our reserve soldiers have logged hundreds of days of military duty. We can’t continue to ask them to shoulder the burden alone.

The Knesset House Committee votes to advance the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties' bill that seeks to enshrine Torah Study in the country's Basic Law. June 30, 2026.

Basic Law: Debasing Torah - opinion

The proposed Basic Law: Torah Study would grant constitutional status to Torah study, but in practice it would turn a sacred obligation into a political and legal instrument. That would harm Torah...

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men from the Vizhnitz Hasidic dynasty study Torah outside the Justice Ministry in Jerusalem during a silent protest against the imprisonment of yeshiva students who failed to comply with military recruitment orders, July 1, 2026; Illustrative.

Knesset panel advances bill to freeze arrests of haredi draft evaders amid legal warnings

The advancement of a bill to freeze the arrests of draft evaders comes after the contentious Basic Law: Torah Study bill advanced last week in the Knesset’s House Committee.

Knesset panel advances bill to freeze arrests of haredi draft evaders, July 12, 2026.

Beyond mourning: Rebuilding the Temple starts with rebuilding Israeli society - opinion

The Temple's restoration begins with restoring unity, justice, and shared responsibility in society.

 Second Temple Model

Haredi protesters rally outside Jerusalem cafe open on Shabbat

Hundreds of Jerusalem residents gathered in support of Cafe Basimta as police removed two protesters near the entrance.

Ultra-Orthodox protesters outside of the Basimta cafe on Saturday, July 4, 2026.