Ultra-Orthodox

Israel urges rabbis to help stop Iranian spy recruitment after dozens of indictments - report

Iranian agents use a simple recruitment method, relying on "fishing expeditions and luck," gradually escalating their demands in exchange for "easy" money.

JULY 18, 2026|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Rabbi Yigal Cohen light candles for the 45 victims who were killed in a stampede, at the scene of the fatal disaster, at Mt Meron, last week. May 06, 2021.

Israeli "Wonder Woman" star Gal Gadot (3rd-R) and Jerusalem film festival director Roni Mahadav-Levin (2nd-R) attend the opening ceremony of the event in Jerusalem on June 17, 2025.

Grapevine: Vexing logistics

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

JULY 18, 2026|ByGREER FAY CASHMAN

United Torah Judaism MKs Moshe Gafni and Yitzhak Goldknopf attend a Knesset vote on a bill to freeze arrests of haredi draft evaders, in Jerusalem, July 14, 2026

Haredi leaders, Yahya Sinwar: Different ideologies, the same refusal to face reality - opinion

In Keinon’s reading, Gaza’s devastation was not an unforeseen consequence. It was a price Sinwar was prepared to pay in the hope of igniting a regional war that would ultimately destroy Israel.

JULY 17, 2026|ByJONATHAN LIEBERMAN

President of the Supreme Court Isaac Amit arrives for a hearing on petitions alleging flaws in the legislative process of the Communications Bill at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, July 13, 2026.

High Court names nine-justice panel to hear petitions on law halting arrest of haredi draft dodgers

The dispute comes after a succession of increasingly forceful High Court judgments on inequality in military service and the government’s failure to enforce the existing draft law.

JULY 16, 2026|BySARAH BEN-NUN

Haredi military aid org warns Netanyahu draft dodger arrests threaten ultra-Orthodox enlistment

CEO Yossi Levi said that efforts to draft haredim should focus on those not enrolled in a yeshiva, rather than on arresting those who have committed to studying Torah full-time.

JUNE 5, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Netanyahu slams violent ultra-Orthodox riot at Supreme Court Justice Sohlberg’s home

Rioters reportedly caused significant property damage and attempted to break into Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg's home.

JUNE 3, 2026BySARAH BEN-NUN, SHOSHANA BAKER

Ultra orthodox jewish men protest against the jailing of yeshiva students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order, at the home of Supreme Court Deputy President Noam Sohlberg in Alon Shvut, June 3, 2026.

Haredi daycare subsidies risk fueling enlistment backlash, political firestorms - analysis

The haredi parties may garner enough support from Netanyahu and the Likud to pass their childcare subsidy bill. But it may prove a hollow victory.

JUNE 3, 2026ByHERB KEINON

Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jewish men block a road and clash with police during a protest against the autopsy of toddlers who died earlier in a daycare, in Jerusalem, January 19, 2026.

Ultra-Orthodox protesters hold anti-draft protests, block train tracks near airport

Additionally, at least three police officers were injured during the protests, Israel Police said following the event's conclusion.

JUNE 1, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

HAREDI PROTESTERS block Highway 1, June 1, 2026.

Haredim making headway in hi-tech: Projects to introduce ultra-Orthodox to workforce see success

According to Moshe Friedman, co-founder and CEO of Kama Tech, there are some 15,000 haredim currently employed in Israel’s hi-tech industries.

MAY 31, 2026ByGREER FAY CASHMAN

Avratech director Aaron Safrai (right) is pictured with ultra-Orthodox Jewish students learning computer programming at Avratech's Jerusalem offices

IDF preparing to arrest haredi draft dodgers as early as next week - report

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu commended the IDF's haredi Hasmonean Brigade for simultaneously learning Torah and serving, as the IDF prepares to arrest those avoiding military service.

MAY 29, 2026ByARIELLA ROITMAN

Ultra-Orthodox Jews walk through a forest near the grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in Meron, northern Israel, attempting to reach the Lag BaOmer celebrations after the site was closed by police following Home Front Command restrictions, May 5, 2026.

WATCH: Haredi protesters shout 'kill all Jews,' throw stones at police attempting to restore order

The protests follow the ongoing arrests of draft dodgers and the contentious draft bill.

MAY 28, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM

ULTRA-ORTHODOX Jewish men block a road during a protest against the jailing of seminary students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order in Bnei Brak, April 28, 2026.

IDF to step up arresting haredi draft dodgers, requests police's support in operation - report

KAN noted that in the past, Police Commissioner Danny Levy refused to grant the IDF police support of this kind.

MAY 25, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM

Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish sector has been protesting over the attempts to draft young haredi men into the military.

Haredi MKs instructed to end cooperation with coalition over contentious ultra-Orthodox draft bill

Progress on the contentious haredi draft legislation has become intertwined with the push for the haredi parties - Shas and United Torah Judaism - to dissolve the Knesset and move up the election.

MAY 25, 2026ByKESHET NEEV

MK Boaz Bismuth seen with Haredi MK's during a plenum session at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, January 14, 2026.

Anti-draft ultra-Orthodox protesters vandalize police cars in Jerusalem after draft dodger arrested

Officers from the station, as well as members of the police's Special Patrol Unit and Border Police, prevented the protesters from entering and dispersed them "through the usage of force."

MAY 25, 2026ByTZVI JASPER