Jerusalem is bracing for a massive demonstration today, with tens of thousands of Ultra-Orthodox Israelis expected to gather. Their protest is aimed at government attempts to compel some members of their community into military service, a move that threatens to further exacerbate deep societal divisions in a nation already reeling from two years of conflict.
This powerful show of opposition comes as the Israeli government seeks a legal and political solution to end the decades-old tradition of exempting most Ultra-Orthodox seminary students from military duty. This privilege has long fueled widespread public resentment, which intensified dramatically following the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023. The subsequent wars in Gaza and Lebanon have claimed the lives of hundreds of soldiers and seen tens of thousands of reservists repeatedly called to duty.
It’s worth noting that military service is generally compulsory in Israel for most Jewish 18-year-olds, both men and women.
An image shows young Ultra-Orthodox men amidst banners and posters on a Jerusalem road, symbolizing their widespread discontent over military exemptions.
Last year, Israel’s Supreme Court ruled that there was no legal basis for continuing these military exemptions. The court stated that without new legislation, the army must begin drafting Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men. The military has indicated a need for 12,000 additional soldiers, yet tens of thousands of Ultra-Orthodox men of draft age currently do not serve.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political survival has long depended on the support of Ultra-Orthodox parties. His government is now attempting to craft a bill that would partially address the military’s manpower needs while striving to keep his right-wing, religiously conservative coalition intact.
However, critics argue that the proposed legislation would largely allow most Ultra-Orthodox Israelis to continue avoiding the draft. They point to provisions for low enlistment quotas and minimal, delayed penalties for non-compliance, suggesting the core issue remains unaddressed.
Another image depicts Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators burning posters at the protests in Jerusalem, a powerful visual of their fervent opposition.
Leaders of the Ultra-Orthodox community, often referred to in Hebrew as the Haredim (meaning “those who tremble before God”), have dubbed today’s event a “march of the million.” They have characterized it as a prayer vigil rather than a direct protest.
The gathering is concentrated around Jerusalem’s western entrance and is expected to cause significant disruptions throughout the city and surrounding areas. A substantial portion of the main Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway has been closed in both directions, with only buses transporting demonstrators allowed through. The city’s train station, conveniently located near the western entrance, is also expected to be shut down.
The tradition of exempting Haredi seminary students from military service dates back to modern Israel’s founding in 1948. This was partly intended to help rebuild Torah scholarship, which had been devastated during the Holocaust. At that time, only a few hundred such students existed. Today, however, the Haredim constitute at least 13 percent of Israel’s 10 million-strong population.