In a powerful display of dissent, hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jewish Israelis converged in Jerusalem for a massive protest against changes to the conscription exemption laws that have long allowed full-time religious students to avoid military service. This demonstration, dubbed the “march of the million,” brought together diverse factions within the Haredi community, which constitutes approximately 14% of Israel’s population.
Historically, students enrolled in religious schools, or yeshivas, have been exempt from mandatory military service, though some ultra-Orthodox individuals do serve. However, these exemptions have come under increased scrutiny, particularly since the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with many Israelis feeling the community isn’t sharing the burden of national security.
The protest led to significant road closures in and around Jerusalem. The anger within the ultra-Orthodox community stems not only from the proposed changes to conscription but also from recent arrests of men who have evaded the draft. They fear that these measures threaten their traditional way of life.
Conversely, many Israelis believe that integrating the ultra-Orthodox community into the military would help address manpower shortages. However, the military faces challenges in accommodating the religious needs and strict observance codes of the Haredi population, making integration a complex undertaking.