Ultra-Orthodox draft

High Court clash exposes IDF manpower crisis, gov't stalling on haredi draft - editorial

Sunday's High Court hearing highlights the growing IDF manpower strain, as criticism mounts over government delays in enforcing haredi conscription.

|ByJPOST EDITORIAL
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.
A haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protester argues with a police officer outside the Jerusalem IDF recruitment center, April 12, 2026.

High Court presses government over failure to enforce haredi draft ruling, reserves decision

The case centers on the government’s failure to carry out the November 2025 ruling, which held that the state must formulate an effective enforcement policy against haredi draft evasion.

|BySARAH BEN-NUN
Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators holding a sign reading "Zionism uses Jews as human shields" outside of the IDF's recruitment offices in Jerusalem, April 12, 2026.

Police arrest 19 in ultra-Orthodox protests against IDF draft across Israel

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

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, HODAYA RAN
Ultra-Orthodox men block a road during a protest against the jailing of seminary students who failed to comply with the IDF draft, in Jerusalem, in February.

While IDF soldiers fight, Israel's government rewards draft dodgers - opinion

So, you pick up your rifle, and you fight. But then, somewhere between operations, you get an update on the news back home. In Jerusalem, you read, the government has passed the annual budget...

|ByYAAKOV KATZ

IDF cancels ultra-Orthodox Hashmonaim Brigade event for parents in Bnei Brak after haredi riot

The event was interrupted by a group of several dozen haredi extremists associated with the Jerusalem faction, who tried to break into the compound where the event was being held.

JANUARY 12, 2026ByHODIA RAN
HAREDIM SCUFFLE with police outside Jerusalem’s IDF Recruitment Center, Nov. 12.

Bus driver rams into ultra-Orthodox protesters in Jerusalem, 14-year-old killed

Thousands of haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protesters gathered in Israel's capital on Tuesday evening • Driver arrested after killing one, injuring three others • Shas: "Haredi blood is not cheap."

JANUARY 6, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM, TOBIAS HOLCMAN
Security and rescue forces are seen at the scene where a teenager was killed and three others were injured after being hit by a bus in Jerusalem, January 6, 2026

Between ultra-Orthodox draft and Knesset coalition, Israel's democracy is too complicated - opinion

The composition of our fragile coalition in the Knesset, mirrored in the cabinet, makes governing our already volatile population factions extremely difficult.

DECEMBER 27, 2025ByWALTER BINGHAM
Protests against haredi draft begins in Jerusalem, October 30, 2025.