Haredi draft

Israel's Opposition hits 61 seat majority for first time in months - poll

The opposition had been standing at 60 seats, at the cusp of a majority, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition remained at 50 seats. The Arab parties, meanwhile, stand at 10 seats.

Opposition head Yair Lapid arrives for a court hearing at the Supreme Court on a petition against the transfer of funds to ultra-Orthodox educational institutions, January 8, 2026
AN IDF reserve soldier reports for a military drill along the border with Lebanon and Syria.

IDF to trim reserve duty, could expand mandatory service as soldier shortage deepens

 Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir. March 25, 2025.

Israel Katz publishes IDF chief's letter warning of manpower shortage amid haredi draft debate

Ultra-Orthodox protests erupt across Israel on haredi IDF enlistment day

Haredi draft crisis: Israel's High Court must now defend its own authority - opinion


Bismuth advances updated ultra-Orthodox IDF draft bill as Knesset prepares for decisive debates

The revised bill is described by its drafters as a “balanced” response - but its core architecture offers the haredi sector a wide window of relief.

Likud MK Boaz Bismuth, chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, leads a meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, November 10, 2025

Violent clashes in Ramat Gan as protesters attack troops detaining draft-dodging yeshiva students

As tensions rose, Border Police rescued the soldiers under attack. Protesters overturned a military police vehicle, chanting, "We do not believe in the rule of the heretics."

Ultra orthodox Jews block a road and clash with police during a protest against the drafting of ultra orthodox jews to the Israeli army, in Ramat Gan, December 24, 2024.

Police arrest 14-year-old suspected in attack on MK Yoav Ben-Tzur’s vehicle

The incident unfolded amid heightened tensions in the ultra-Orthodox (haredi) community surrounding military-conscription legislation, which Shas supported.

Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators protest at the Bar Ilan intersection in Jerusalem, following the arrest of a haredi draft-dodger.

Opposition holds 61-seat edge despite coalition drama, 'Maariv' poll finds

The new survey published Friday shows the anti-Netanyahu bloc held 61 seats as debate over Haredi draft, UN Gaza plan, and Saudi normalization roils politics.

Opposition lawmakers seen at the Knesset, October 27, 2025

Israel's haredi draft crisis: Court ruling and political stalemate reach breaking point - analysis

Israel's haredi draft crisis intensifies as court ruling forces action, while political divisions and protests make it difficult to see a path forward.

 Haredim protest against the IDF draft outside Tel Hashomer recruitment base, April 28. 2025.

Israeli government must enforce policy against IDF draft evaders, High Court of Justice rules

The court issued an absolute order, requiring the state to act diligently and swiftly to initiate real criminal proceedings against haredi draft-evaders.

Sign held at protest against haredi draft reads: "Undettered by arrests, trembling from the targets," in reference to the IDF's set targets for haredi constription, Jerusalem, October 30, 2025.

Ultra-Orthodox leaders give haredi factions green light to advance IDF draft bill

The past week has seen violence from within the haredi community from extremists who are against a law that would require army enlistment from members of the community.

 Rabbi Dov Lando seen during a meeting to discuss the drafting of ultra-Orthodox jews to the IDF in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, April 5, 2024.

Liberman slams haredi draft-dodger extremists, ultra-Orthodox parties condemn violence

UTJ and Shas denounce violent haredi extremists as tensions rise over a contentious IDF draft bill, prompting political backlash and stalled legislation.

Yisrael Beytenu chairperson Avigdor Liberman denounces the haredi extremists during a Knesset faction press conference, November 17, 2025.

Police boost security for MKs Asher, Gafni over escalating threats amid draft law tension

A group of Haredi Jews protests in front of the home of MK Yaakov Asher in Bnei Brak against the draft law. Due to the escalation, police declared MKs Asher and Gafni at a level four threat.

Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators protest at the Bar Ilan intersection in Jerusalem

'Not the way of the Torah': Netanyahu, politicians decry violent attack on Shas MK Yoav Ben-Tzur

“This is not the way of the Torah, this is not the way of the State of Israel; these violent criminals must be dealt with severely,” Opposition head Yair Lapid stated.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with MK Yoav Ben Tzur during a plenum session. November 13, 2017.