Situation at a glance - Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews protest against compulsory military service
In Israel, the dispute over the introduction of mandatory military service for ultra-Orthodox Jews escalates. Thousands of strictly religious men protested angrily in Jerusalem yesterday against the court-ordered obligation to serve in the Israeli army. According to local media reports, violent clashes occurred in the city in the evening with the police. The security forces reportedly used mounted officers and a water cannon against agitated demonstrators.
According to police reports, stones and objects were thrown from the ranks of the black-clad strictly religious men towards the officers, and trash cans were burning. Several policemen were reportedly injured, according to the "Times of Israel" in the night. Five rioters were arrested. The trigger for the enraged protests was a recent ruling by the highest court of the Jewish state, which now requires ultra-Orthodox men to be conscripted into the army. The ruling came in the context of the Gaza War and the conflict with the Hisbollah militia in Lebanon.
"We will die"
The protesters carried signs with the inscription "We will not enter the enemy's army" and "We will die" instead of serving in the army, according to the "Times of Israel". Ultra-Orthodox men view military service as a threat to their pious way of life, as women and men serve together in the Israeli army. Men in Israel are required to serve regular three-year, women two-year military service. For decades, exemptions have applied to ultra-Orthodox men regarding military service. These expired three months ago.
The ruling of the highest court is seen as a heavy blow to the right-religious government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The military service issue had become an increasingly divisive issue for his coalition. Observers see the stability of the alliance threatened because the government also relies on strictly religious partners who reject the call-up of young men from their community.
Some demonstrators attacked the car of the chairman of the ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism, according to media reports, as he was on his way home. Media reports indicate that the demonstrators pelted the car with stones and cursed the party chairman as he passed by. The Israeli broadcaster Kan published a video on the X platform showing Ultra-Orthodox men surrounding a car. The police reportedly intervened and secured the safety of the person inside.
The coalition was already broken in 2018 over a law that gradually conscripts more strictly religious men into military service. Netanyahu's government failed to pass a law that would have cemented the easements. In response, the highest court ordered the withdrawal of state subsidies for Ultra-Orthodox men of military age who study in religious schools.
The army warns of a soldier shortage.
State Prosecutor Gali Baharav-Miara decided at the end of March that the military was also obligated to draft the religious students who had been largely exempt from military service until then. According to the court, there are approximately 63,000 men involved. Many Israelis feel that it's unfair that Ultra-Orthodox men are exempt from weapons service and dangerous combat missions. However, there are also Ultra-Orthodox men who volunteer to serve. The army warned recently, due to the Gaza War, of a shortage of combat soldiers.
Soldiers injured in drone attack
According to the Israeli army's statements, 18 of their soldiers were injured in a drone attack on the northern Golan Heights. One of them was seriously injured and taken to the hospital, the military reported. In response to the attack, the Air Force attacked positions of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia in southern Lebanon. During the attack, a launching pad was bombed, from which a projectile was fired towards northern Israel, the military added. In addition, the army's own artillery eliminated "threats" in several areas in southern Lebanon. The information could not be independently verified.
Israel and the Lebanese Shia militia Hezbollah have been exchanging gunfire since the beginning of the Gaza War about nine months ago, with the intensity of the fighting increasing significantly recently. The militia repeatedly called on Israel to end the war in Gaza against the Hamas, which it is allied with, before ceasing fire. There are concerns that a possible open war between Israel and Lebanon could expand into a regional conflict, potentially involving the USA and Iran.
- The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is facing criticism due to the court's decision to enforce compulsory military service for ultra-Orthodox Jews, a move seen as a heavy blow to his right-religious coalition.
- Protesters in Jerusalem, primarily Ultra-Orthodox men, are strongly opposed to this decision, viewing military service as a threat to their pious lifestyle due to the integration of men and women in the Israeli army.
- Following the recent ruling, violent clashes erupted between the demonstrators and the police in Jerusalem, with protesters throwing stones and objects at the officers, resulting in several injuries.
- The Times of Israel reported that Hezbollah, a militia based in Lebanon, has been involved in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, a situation that has added to the tension in the region.
- In response to the Gaza War, State Prosecutor Gali Baharav-Miara required the Israeli military to draft religious students who had been exempt from military service until then, affecting approximately 63,000 men.
- Some Ultra-Orthodox men have volunteered for military service, while others feel it's unfair that they are exempt from weapons service and dangerous combat missions, leading to criticism and a potential soldier shortage in the Israeli army.
- The drone attack in the northern Golan Heights led to 18 injured soldiers, including one in critical condition, and Israel retaliated by targeting positions of the Hezbollah militia in southern Lebanon.
- Hezbollah, allied with Hamas, has been exchanging gunfire with Israel since the beginning of the Gaza War, raising concerns about a possible open war between Israel and Lebanon, potentially escalating into a regional conflict involving major international powers like the USA and Iran.
