At least 19 ultra-Orthodox protesters were arrested outside of the IDF's recruitment offices in Tel Hashomer during an ongoing draft day, Israel Police said on Sunday afternoon.

Protesters attempted to block vehicles while lying in the road, addressing officers deployed to the protest with "hateful chants."

Other footage at the scene shows protesters calling police officers "soul murderers," and "destroying us as the Nazis did in Auschwitz."

Two additional protesters were arrested in a second demonstration near the military recruitment offices in Jerusalem.

Haredi protest over draft law, April 12, 2026.
Haredi protest over draft law, April 12, 2026. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)

Haredi anti-draft protesters block Jerusalem light rail

Later in the afternoon, Israel Police said that the demonstration had spread onto Jerusalem's Jaffa Road to block the Light Rail and had devolved into an unlawful protest.

Officers at the scene succeeded in moving protesters off the tracks. Alongside this, police are working to maintain a steady flow of traffic in the surrounding area and are filing reports against those who attempt to obstruct it.