Massive Ultra-Orthodox Protest Against Military Service in Jerusalem

Historic Protest Against Military Conscription

Jerusalem witnessed one of the largest demonstrations in recent Israeli history as approximately 200,000 ultra-Orthodox Jewish men gathered to protest against mandatory military service. The massive protest, dubbed the 'March of the Million,' brought West Jerusalem to a standstill as demonstrators in traditional black attire blocked major roads and clashed with police forces.

Tragic Incident Mars Demonstration

The protest turned tragic when a 15-year-old boy fell to his death from the twentieth floor of an unfinished high-rise building near the demonstration site. According to Israeli broadcaster Kan, the teenager was among ultra-Orthodox youths who had climbed onto construction cranes and rooftops to participate in the protest. Police are investigating the circumstances of the fatal fall.

Background of the Military Service Controversy

The protest represents the culmination of decades-long tensions over military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews, known as Haredim. Since Israel's founding in 1948, full-time religious students have been exempt from mandatory military service to focus on rebuilding religious institutions destroyed during World War II. However, this policy has faced increasing legal and political challenges.

Last year, Israel's Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the selective conscription system was discriminatory and violated equality laws. 'The current system creates an unfair burden on secular Israelis while allowing a significant portion of the population to avoid national service,' explained legal expert David Rosenberg from the Israel Democracy Institute.

Political Implications for Netanyahu Government

The military service issue has created a major political crisis for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government. In July 2025, the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party left the coalition over dissatisfaction with the government's draft conscription law, followed shortly by the Shas party. This reduced Netanyahu's parliamentary majority to just 60 of 120 seats.

'This protest demonstrates the deep divisions within Israeli society and the political challenges facing the government,' said political analyst Tamar Hermann from the Israel Democracy Institute. 'Netanyahu must balance the demands of his remaining coalition partners with growing public pressure for equal burden-sharing.'

Recent Crackdown and Community Response

The protest follows a recent government crackdown on draft dodgers from the ultra-Orthodox community. According to Israeli media reports, at least 870 ultra-Orthodox men have been arrested in recent months for refusing military service despite receiving call-up notices. Last month, the military issued the first 1,000 conscription notices to members of the ultra-Orthodox community.

The Gaza war has intensified the controversy, with many secular Israelis arguing that the ultra-Orthodox community hasn't shared the military burden during the conflict. However, some ultra-Orthodox men have volunteered for service. 'Even within our community, there are different views about military service,' acknowledged community representative Moshe Friedman. 'Some see it as their patriotic duty, while others fear it threatens our traditional way of life.'

Security Measures and Previous Violence

Authorities deployed several thousand police officers to prevent a repeat of last summer's violent protests, when demonstrators attacked police officers and politicians. During the current protest, television footage from Channel 12 showed protesters throwing plastic bottles at journalists, and police closed a train station as a precautionary measure.

The ultra-Orthodox community, which constitutes approximately 15% of Israel's population, views military service as a threat to their identity and religious lifestyle. They fear that serving alongside secular soldiers, including women, could undermine their strict religious practices and community cohesion.

The Netzah Yehuda battalion, established specifically for religious soldiers, has existed for years and saw approximately 2,000 ultra-Orthodox volunteers join as reservists following the October 2023 Hamas attacks. However, the community remains deeply divided over mandatory conscription, with the current protest representing the most significant show of opposition to date.