Hundreds of Thousands Ultra-Orthodox Protest Israel Military Draft in Jerusalem

Hundreds of thousands of Ultra-Orthodox Jews, or Haredim, staged massive protests in Jerusalem against Israel's efforts to end their long-standing exemption from mandatory military service, a policy many see as vital to their religious identity. The demonstrations, called by Haredi rabbis and councils, shut down major highways, halted train services, and brought the city to a standstill, with police deploying thousands of officers to manage the crowds. Clashes with police led to dozens of injuries, including a police officer, and a tragic death of a 15-year-old who fell from a construction site amid the chaos. The protests represent a rare unity among often divided Haredi factions and have intensified political turmoil, threatening Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's fragile coalition as his ultra-Orthodox allies have withdrawn from the government over the issue. The Supreme Court ruled the exemption unconstitutional, pushing the government to create new conscription laws amid growing military manpower shortages due to ongoing conflicts. This escalating crisis underscores the tension between Israel's security demands and the religious freedoms of the Ultra-Orthodox community.