Ultra-Orthodox draft

Ultra-Orthodox draft protesters break into military police chief's yard, block highway

Over the course of the protest, Highway 4 was blocked to traffic in both directions, and Israeli media reported several altercations between protestors and police officers.

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.
A haredi (ultra-Orthodox) anti-draft protester holds a banner reading "Even those who do not learn in Yeshiva need to stay Jewish. It's forbidden to commit spiritual suicide in the IDF's crematoriums," during an anti-draft protest at the IDF's Jerusalem recruitment center, April 12, 2026.

Israel High Court demands government enforce draft law, revoke benefits from evaders

Ultra orthodox Jewish reserve soldiers of the IDF's Hasmonean Brigade operate in the Gaza Strip on June 26, 2025.

Israel’s haredi draft crisis needs more than crackdowns - opinion

Naftali Bennett at the scene where a ballistic missile fired from Iran hit Tel Aviv overnight, causing heavy damage, March 1, 2026.

Bennett doubles down on mandatory haredi enlistment, blames current gov't for lack of IDF soldiers


Bnei Brak clashes reflect long-building tensions within haredi society, researcher says - interview

An Israel Democracy Institute researcher says the violence reflects long-standing shifts within haredi society and mounting friction over IDF conscription.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men clash with police following an assault on two female Israeli soldiers in Bnei Brak, central Israel, February 15, 2026.

IDF clashes with police over Bnei Brak incident, says attacked soldiers did not distribute leaflets

“The claim that the commanders who were attacked yesterday in Bnei Brak arrived in order to distribute recruitment flyers in the city is incorrect," IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men clash with police following an assault on two female Israeli soldiers in Bnei Brak, central Israel, February 15, 2026.

Haredi protests block Jerusalem entrance, Highway 38

The protesters initially disrupted traffic both around the entrance to Jerusalem and on Highway 38. Police announced that they had successfully dispersed the protesters on 38.

Haredi anti-draft protesters block Highway 4 near Bnei Brak denouncing the detention of a draft dodger, February 9, 2026.

WATCH: Haredim block roads near Tel Hashomer in protest of IDF draft, deemed unlawful by police

N12 reported that the protests arose because around 80 haredim are scheduled to enlist in combat support roles.

IDF GUARDS outside the recruitment center in Jerusalem as haredim protest the draft, February 4, 2026.

IDF warns of manpower crisis if ultra-Orthodox Jews not drafted by March

The IDF on Tuesday unveiled new pathways to increase haredi enlistment, aiming to prevent major troop shortages when 2,500 soldiers are released in January 2027.

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

A-G Baharav-Miara says gov’t is violating ruling on haredi conscription as enforcement plan stalls

Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara's comments at the High Court of Justice came as the government has failed to adopt effective measures for the conscription of ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students.

Attorney general Gali Baharav-Miara at a Constitution, Law and Justice Committee meeting at the Knesset, in the Israeli parliament on September 30, 2025.

Police called to extract haredi soldier from Jerusalem anti-draft protest

According to Israel Police, the IDF soldier was caught up in one of the haredi anti-drafting protests in Jerusalem, and was surrounded and attacked by "400 extremist protesters."

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

Haredi enlistment on the rise, still falling short of IDF goals - N12

The increase over the past two years has been attributed by professional sources to the repercussions imposed on those who don’t enlist.

Haredi soldier

‘Reaching the finish line’: Controversial haredi draft bill advances for Knesset committee vote

The controversial haredi conscription bill has moved one step closer to a vote in the Knesset after significant progress in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

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

IDF chief promotes Hashmonaim Brigade commander to chief adviser on ultra-Orthodox issues

Part of the new position will involve some of the same responsibilities Emunah has had in founding the brigade, specifically tailored to haredim, but his portfolio will likely be widened.

Ultra orthodox jewish soldiers from the Hasmonean Brigade take part in a beret march after completing seven months of basic and advanced training, at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old city on August 6, 2025.