Israel faces Haredi protests and new enlistments amid escalating draft crisis

Following the arrest of a Haredi draft‑dodger, hundreds of ultra‑Orthodox protesters gathered at the Beit Shemesh police station, breaking into the compound, clashing with police, blocking roads and setting fires. The unrest spread to Jerusalem, where demonstrators blocked major thoroughfares and later attacked the home of Supreme Court Deputy President Noam Sohlberg, damaging his property and car.

Amid the turmoil, about 120 Haredi recruits are set to join the Israel Defense Forces this week. Some, like 27‑year‑old Bentzi Yusovitch, say the October 7 attacks motivated their decision, while others cite a desire to contribute to the nation’s defense. The recruits report that the army provides kosher food and rabbinic support, countering claims that the military cannot accommodate Haredi soldiers. Their enlistment highlights ongoing societal division over mandatory service for full‑time Torah students.

The episode underscores a broader conflict between Haredi leadership, which historically secured exemptions for yeshiva students, and Israeli authorities seeking to enforce universal conscription.