Ultra-Orthodox

Jerusalem’s Armenians are under attack, and the world is looking away - opinion

For decades, the Armenian community of East Jerusalem has endured harassment, intimidation, and discrimination by extremist haredi (ultra-Orthodox) and nationalist Jewish youths.

 THE ARMENIAN monastery compound in the Armenian Quarter.
Gur Grand Rabbi Yaakov Aryeh Alter seen after a meeting of the Council of Torah Sages regarding the Haredi draft exemption bill in Jerusalem, January 7, 2026.

Gerrer Rebbe, anti-Zionist Satmar billionaire discussed ICJ action against Israel over haredi draft

A protester shouts at former IDF Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter during a demonstration against an IDF recruitment conference for the Haredi community in Jerusalem, August 4, 2026.

'Traitor to the Jewish people': Haredim protest against Ofer Winter after enlistment conference

Finance Committee chair MK Hanoch Milwidsky leads a Finance committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, August 4, 2026.

Knesset panel approves budget transfer of NIS 270 million to haredi education during recess


Exhibition of ultra-Orthodox military draft cartoons vandalized ahead of Animix Festival

A young man wearing a kippah confronted organizers and Tel Aviv Cinematheque CEO Tomer Cohen. They said he tore down and damaged parts of the exhibition before attempting to flee.

Cartoon showing Moses saying, "Don't they teach  this commandment at yeshivas?" and holding a tablet that says, "Thou shalt not vandalize cartoons," created in response to the incident.

Haredi anti-draft protesters demonstrate against new Ma'alot Tzur enlistment program head- report

According to N12, the protesters arrived in organized transportation, stood outside the new head's home, and distributed pashkevilim (broadsides or posters used by the ultra-Orthodox community).

Ultra orthodox Jews protest against the drafting of ultra orthodox jews to the Israeli army, in Jerusalem, July 15, 2026.

Liberman urges opposition to focus on Netanyahu government collapse rather than leadership fights

His comments came after Yashar leader Gadi Eisenkot stated that leaders of smaller parties in the opposition bloc should not insist on seeking the premiership.

Yisrael Beiteinu party chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on July 6, 2026.

Draft dodgers will either 'enlist or go to prison,' Netanyahu says in closed-door meeting - report

Further, KAN reported that Netanyahu acknowledged the draft law was unsuccessful and that it would not be brought back in the next government.

 LIKUD LEADER BENJAMIN Netanyahu shakes hands with United Torah Judaism MK Yitzhak Goldknopf in the Knesset last week. If Netanyahu’s promise of a full budget for all haredi educational institutions is realized, the already-low incentive to provide core studies will disappear entirely.

Avigdor Liberman joins supporters as haredi protesters target Jerusalem café for fifth week

Customers shouted “Enlist, enlist” as haredi protesters demonstrated outside the Jerusalem café for a fifth consecutive Saturday.

Cafe Basimta, Jerusalem

'Nazis, get out of here': Haredi protesters assault Border Police officers, soldiers in Jerusalem

According to Ynet, the two incidents come on the tail end of a haredi car procession and march from Beit Shemesh to Kikar Hashabbat in Jerusalem, protesting the detention of 63 draft dodgers. 

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men clash with police during a protest against construction work on the Jerusalem Light Rail in the Bar-Ilan area of Jerusalem, June 8, 2026.

From 'better to die' to enlistment: Why haredi draft calculus is shifting - analysis

Despite fierce rabbinic opposition, haredi enlistment is rising. The numbers suggest changing incentives may be altering the draft calculus.

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

ITIM organization asks High Court to bar draft evaders from Rabbinate exam benefits

ITIM asked the High Court to bar men from using yeshiva study completed without regularized military status to qualify for Rabbinate certification.

The Supreme Court convenes to maintain the freeze on the law limiting enforcement against haredi (ultra-Orthodox) draft dodgers, July 28, 2026.

High Court maintains freeze on law limiting enforcement against haredi draft dodgers

The interim order issued on Tuesday followed a hearing held just a few hours earlier, during which the nine-member panel heard from the different sides represented in the case.

The Supreme Court convenes to maintain the freeze on the law limiting enforcement against haredi (ultra-Orthodox) draft dodgers, July 28, 2026.

Beyond the haredi draft: What’s really at stake for Israel’s future - opinion

It would be a national mistake if many make one of the most consequential political decisions of their lives based primarily on anger over a single issue, without considering the much broader impact.

 ‘THE HAREDI leadership argues that it is forbidden to draft yeshiva students whose Torah is their profession and that they defend the State of Israel through their studies.’