Ultra-Orthodox

Hundreds of haredim protest outside military prison following draft dodger arrest

The arrested hassidic man had earlier arrived at a draft office to arrange an exemption from service before being sentenced to 20 days in prison, according to the report.

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.
 Rabbi Dov Lando seen during a meeting to discuss the drafting of ultra-Orthodox jews to the IDF in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, April 5, 2024.

Haredi leader attacks religious Zionists for fighting in Israeli ‘murder’ wars, PM condemns remarks

The Haredi Public party launched a large-scale advertising campaign at the entrances to and exits from major haredi cities on July 19, 2026.

New haredi party launches, aiming to secure spot in Knesset ahead of elections

Street sign reading women on one side and men on the other, in the ultra orthodox Jewish town of Bnei Brak, July 15, 2026.

Municipality is not 'modesty patrol': Bnei Brak councilman slams sidewalk gender segregation


Jerusalem's Bikur Cholim hospital battle puts city's pluralism to the test

“If the hassidim take control of the eastern building, it will no longer be open to the public, and the gate will be locked,” warned Jerusalem's Deputy Mayor Yosef Havilio.

The Jerusalem Bikur Cholim hospital in Jerusalem closes due to lack of money. November 30, 2010.

Israel urges rabbis to help stop Iranian spy recruitment after dozens of indictments - report

Iranian agents use a simple recruitment method, relying on "fishing expeditions and luck," gradually escalating their demands in exchange for "easy" money.

Rabbi Yigal Cohen light candles for the 45 victims who were killed in a stampede, at the scene of the fatal disaster, at Mt Meron, last week. May 06, 2021.

Grapevine: Vexing logistics

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

Israeli "Wonder Woman" star Gal Gadot (3rd-R) and Jerusalem film festival director Roni Mahadav-Levin (2nd-R) attend the opening ceremony of the event in Jerusalem on June 17, 2025.

Haredi leaders, Yahya Sinwar: Different ideologies, the same refusal to face reality - opinion

In Keinon’s reading, Gaza’s devastation was not an unforeseen consequence. It was a price Sinwar was prepared to pay in the hope of igniting a regional war that would ultimately destroy Israel.

United Torah Judaism MKs Moshe Gafni and Yitzhak Goldknopf attend a Knesset vote on a bill to freeze arrests of haredi draft evaders, in Jerusalem, July 14, 2026

High Court names nine-justice panel to hear petitions on law halting arrest of haredi draft dodgers

The dispute comes after a succession of increasingly forceful High Court judgments on inequality in military service and the government’s failure to enforce the existing draft law.

President of the Supreme Court Isaac Amit arrives for a hearing on petitions alleging flaws in the legislative process of the Communications Bill at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, July 13, 2026.

Are there other lessons from October 7? - opinion

The October 7 massacre fell on 22 Tishrei – Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, two days that signify the highest joy: one completing the festival of Sukkot, the other our rejoicing in the Torah itself

Rabbi Baruch Mordechai Ezrachi delivers a torah lesson at Ateret Yisrael Yeshiva in Jerusalem, November 19, 2019.

High Court freezes Knesset law stopping arrests of haredi military draft evaders

The court issued a conditional order hours after the Knesset approved the legislation, citing longstanding rulings on yeshiva conscription and concerns over selective enforcement.

Protests against haredi draft in Jerusalem, October 30, 2025.

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.