Ultra-Orthodox Jews Protest Military Conscription: ‘We’d Rather Die Than Serve’
On August 1st, a significant protest unfolded as an extreme ultra-Orthodox Jewish group blocked Highway 4, near Bnei Brak, east of Tel Aviv. This demonstration aimed to oppose the Israeli military conscription policy that now requires students from ultra-Orthodox yeshivas to serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The protestors, fiercely vocal, chanted phrases like “We’d rather die than serve” and “Prison instead of the army.”
Background on the Protest
The protest is part of a larger wave of demonstrations against a Supreme Court ruling from June. This ruling mandated that the Israeli military begin drafting men from the ultra-Orthodox community. The court’s decision also included cutting funding for yeshivas that refuse to comply with the new conscription regulations. This ruling has stirred significant controversy and resistance from the ultra-Orthodox community, who traditionally have been exempt from military service.
Protest Details
The demonstration saw participants, including young boys, sitting on the highway and obstructing traffic. Israeli police declared the protest illegal and had to forcibly remove many protestors to clear the road and restore traffic flow. The drafting of young men from the ultra-Orthodox community remains one of Israel’s most contentious issues.
Community Reactions
Religious and political leaders from the ultra-Orthodox community have strongly opposed the conscription efforts. They argue that military service conflicts with their religious studies and lifestyle, and fear that those who enlist may become secularized. Conversely, many Israelis view the exemption for the ultra-Orthodox as unjust, considering the broader conscription policy that requires nearly all young people over 18 to serve.
Impact and Future Legislation
The debate around military conscription has intensified, especially following the conflict that began on October 7 of the previous year between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. This conflict led to over 680 Israeli soldiers’ deaths and the mobilization of more than 300,000 citizens into reserve forces. In response, the Israeli parliament is currently reviewing new legislation aimed at increasing the number of recruits from the ultra-Orthodox community, despite their strong opposition.
The ongoing struggle highlights the deep-seated divisions in Israeli society regarding military service and religious obligations, making it a pivotal issue in the nation’s policy discussions.
