Ultra-Orthodox draft

Coalition submits bill to dissolve Knesset, vote expected next week

The remarks came on Tuesday, as Bennett outlined his plans for the country if elected, alongside opposition leader Yair Lapid, at the first major campaign event of their newly merged Together party.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Defense Minister Israel Katz and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attend a discussion at the plenum in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem, July 23, 2025.
Police clash with ultra-Orthodox Jews following a protest against IDF conscription in Jerusalem.

Knesset unanimously approves law banning the use of 'skunk' liquid at demonstrations

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish clash with police in Jerusalem during a protest against the jailing of seminary students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order, May 7, 2026.

Police arrest one protester as ultra-Orthodox Jews block Jerusalem light rail

 An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man is seen exiting an IDF recruiting office in Jerusalem, June 25, 2024

IDF launches recruitment push for ultra-Orthodox combat units active across war fronts


WATCH: Police forcefully disperse anti-draft haredi Jerusalem Faction protest at Chords Bridge

Members of the anti-IDF draft Jerusalem Faction protest blocked Jerusalem’s Chords Bridge, causing traffic disruptions as Israel Police worked to restore order.

Anti-IDF haredi activists Jerusalem Faction activists block the road under Jerusalem's Chords Bridge, April 29, 2026.

Ultra-Orthodox draft protesters break into military police chief's yard, block highway

Over the course of the protest, Highway 4 was blocked to traffic in both directions, and Israeli media reported several altercations between protestors and police officers.

ULTRA-ORTHODOX Jewish men block a road during a protest against the jailing of seminary students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order in Bnei Brak, April 28, 2026.

Israel High Court demands government enforce draft law, revoke benefits from evaders

Israel’s High Court has ordered the state to revoke benefits from haredi draft evaders, marking a major step toward enforcing the draft law amid the ongoing manpower shortage.

A haredi (ultra-Orthodox) anti-draft protester holds a banner reading "Even those who do not learn in Yeshiva need to stay Jewish. It's forbidden to commit spiritual suicide in the IDF's crematoriums," during an anti-draft protest at the IDF's Jerusalem recruitment center, April 12, 2026.

Israel’s haredi draft crisis needs more than crackdowns - opinion

Our real challenge is strengthening national resilience without tearing open one of the country’s deepest internal fractures - crackdowns alone will not meet it.

Ultra orthodox Jewish reserve soldiers of the IDF's Hasmonean Brigade operate in the Gaza Strip on June 26, 2025.

Bennett doubles down on mandatory haredi enlistment, blames current gov't for lack of IDF soldiers

"Draft evasion is costing the lives of our soldiers," the former prime minister said during an interview on Radio 103FM.

Naftali Bennett at the scene where a ballistic missile fired from Iran hit Tel Aviv overnight, causing heavy damage, March 1, 2026.

High Court clash exposes IDF manpower crisis, gov't stalling on haredi draft - editorial

Sunday's High Court hearing highlights the growing IDF manpower strain, as criticism mounts over government delays in enforcing haredi conscription.

A haredi (ultra-Orthodox) anti-draft protester holds a banner reading "Even those who do not learn in Yeshiva need to stay Jewish. It's forbidden to commit spiritual suicide in the IDF's crematoriums," during an anti-draft protest at the IDF's Jerusalem recruitment center, April 12, 2026.

High Court presses government over failure to enforce haredi draft ruling, reserves decision

The case centers on the government’s failure to carry out the November 2025 ruling, which held that the state must formulate an effective enforcement policy against haredi draft evasion.

A haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protester argues with a police officer outside the Jerusalem IDF recruitment center, April 12, 2026.

Police arrest 19 in ultra-Orthodox protests against IDF draft across Israel

Protesters attempted to block vehicles while lying in the road, addressing officers deployed at Tel Hashomer with "hateful chants." 

Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators holding a sign reading "Zionism uses Jews as human shields" outside of the IDF's recruitment offices in Jerusalem, April 12, 2026.

While IDF soldiers fight, Israel's government rewards draft dodgers - opinion

So, you pick up your rifle, and you fight. But then, somewhere between operations, you get an update on the news back home. In Jerusalem, you read, the government has passed the annual budget...

Ultra-Orthodox men block a road during a protest against the jailing of seminary students who failed to comply with the IDF draft, in Jerusalem, in February.

Israel’s manpower crisis: IDF Chief’s warning, a wake-up call for Israeli leaders - editoral

IDF Chief of Staff warns Israel's political leadership about a growing manpower crisis, stressing the urgent need for a conscription bill to sustain the military amid escalating tensions with Iran.

DF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir speaks during an event for outstanding soldiers as part of Israel's 77th Independence Day celebrations, at the President's residence in Jerusalem on May 1, 2025.