Israel Faces Political Turmoil as Ultra-Orthodox Military Draft Sparks Nationwide Tensions

Israel is grappling with a growing political crisis over the proposed conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews, threatening to destabilize the government and deepen societal divisions.

Lawmakers are considering a draft bill to end the decades-old exemption for ultra-Orthodox men enrolled in full-time religious study, a policy established in 1948. Although the High Court of Justice ruled the exemption illegal nearly 20 years ago, temporary arrangements persisted until last year, forcing the government to begin drafting Haredi men.

Last year, some 24,000 draft notices were issued, but only around 1,200 ultra-Orthodox men reported for service, according to military testimony. The low compliance has intensified calls for stricter enforcement, while public opinion has shifted in Israel following two years of conflict.

Tensions have erupted on the streets. Ultra-Orthodox politicians were recently targeted by extremists protesting the proposed law. A special Border Police unit had to rescue Military Police officers from a crowd of Haredi men attempting to block the arrest of suspected draft evaders. Protesters have also implemented a messaging system, “Black Alert,” to mobilize communities in real time to prevent arrests.

Last month, tens of thousands of Haredi men marched through Jerusalem in a massive protest against the draft, framing the issue as central to the identity of the Jewish state. “We’re a Jewish country. You can’t fight against Judaism in a Jewish country,” said protester Shmuel Orbach.

Despite the unrest, many ultra-Orthodox communities continue their traditional religious studies. At the Kisse Rahamim yeshiva in Bnei Brak, teenage boys study Torah late into the night, reflecting a belief that continuous prayer and religious study protect Israel’s soldiers. Rabbi Tzemach Mazuz, head of the yeshiva, defended the practice, saying it remains vital even as societal pressures mount.

“Today, many in the government and the Knesset have distanced themselves from religion,” Rabbi Mazuz said. “They say yeshiva students are lazy, which is not true. In Tel Aviv, there are tens of thousands of draft-dodgers – why don’t they take them? Why are they attacking yeshiva students?”

The issue has become one of Israel’s most explosive political challenges, exposing deep divisions over religion, national service, and the country’s identity.