Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men clashed with Israeli police in central Jerusalem on Sunday, protesting a Supreme Court order mandating their enlistment for military service. The recent ruling poses a potential threat to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition as Israel continues its conflict in Gaza.
Military service is compulsory for most Jewish men and women in Israel. However, ultra-Orthodox parties have historically secured exemptions for their followers, allowing them to study in religious seminaries instead. This arrangement has led to widespread resentment among the general public, especially during the ongoing eight-month war against Hamas.
The protests began with tens of thousands of men gathering in an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood to oppose the court order. As night fell, the crowd moved towards central Jerusalem and turned violent. Protesters threw rocks and attacked the car of an ultra-Orthodox Cabinet minister, pelting it with stones. In response, Israeli police used water cannons filled with skunk-scented water and mounted officers to disperse the crowd. Despite these measures, the demonstration remained uncontrolled late into Sunday night.
The ultra-Orthodox parties are crucial members of Netanyahu’s governing coalition. Their potential departure could trigger new elections, a risky move given the coalition’s declining popularity since the October 7 Hamas attack that ignited the war. Party leaders have not yet decided whether to leave the government, but such a decision carries significant risk as Netanyahu’s coalition has been losing support since the conflict began.
The long-standing exemption for ultra-Orthodox men has bred public resentment, which has intensified during the war. Over 600 soldiers have been killed, and tens of thousands of reservists have been called up, disrupting lives and careers. Ultra-Orthodox parties argue that forcing their men to serve in the army would destroy their traditional way of life. Earlier on Sunday, thousands gathered in a square for mass prayers, holding signs criticizing the government, with one reading, “not even one male” should be drafted.
The landmark Supreme Court decision last week ordered the government to begin drafting ultra-Orthodox men, a move that could lead to significant political upheaval as Israel continues its military operations in Gaza. In summary, the protest against mandatory military service for ultra-Orthodox men has escalated tensions in Israel. The situation remains volatile, with potential political ramifications for Netanyahu’s government amid the ongoing conflict.