Jerusalem Haredi protests turn violent, secular man injured

Ultra‑Orthodox (Haredi) demonstrators in Jerusalem and the nearby city of Beit Shemesh staged large protests after the police arrested dozens of men for rioting at the home of Supreme Court Deputy President Justice Noam Sohlberg and for evading military service. The crowds attempted to breach the Lev HaBira police station, threw stones at officers, erected barricades and, according to police, were dispersed with batons and stun grenades. During the clashes a secular passer‑by was pushed to the ground and suffered a head wound.

The unrest is linked to the long‑standing dispute over conscription of Haredi men, which the Israeli army says is creating urgent personnel shortages. Politicians from across the spectrum condemned the attacks, and the events have intensified public debate over the draft exemption for religious students.