Ultra-Orthodox

Reservists Party vows to form Zionist government, discusses potential alliance with Gantz

The Reservists Party is working toward a Zionist government, with talks underway for a potential alliance with Benny Gantz’s Blue and White ahead of the 2026 elections.

Yoaz Hendel, head of the Reservists’ Party, speaks during the party’s launch event ahead of the 2026 general elections, at Kibbutz Ma'ale HaHamisha near Jerusalem, November 19, 2025.
MK BOAZ Bismuth leads a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting at the Knesset, in February 2026.

MK Boaz Bismuth attacked by haredi mob in Bnei Brak, affirms dedication to draft law

A haredi (ultra-Orthodox) anti-draft protester holds a banner reading "Even those who do not learn in Yeshiva need to stay Jewish. It's forbidden to commit spiritual suicide in the IDF's crematoriums," during an anti-draft protest at the IDF's Jerusalem recruitment center, April 12, 2026.

High Court clash exposes IDF manpower crisis, gov't stalling on haredi draft - editorial

Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators holding a sign reading "Zionism uses Jews as human shields" outside of the IDF's recruitment offices in Jerusalem, April 12, 2026.

Police arrest 19 in ultra-Orthodox protests against IDF draft across Israel


Haredi teenager suffers head injury in hit-and-run at Bnei Brak protest, arrests made

Footage of the incident shared by public broadcaster KAN News appeared to show the vehicle as it passed through the crowd, having knocked several protesters over.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews protests attempts to establish a draft bill in the Knesset, in Bnei Brak, December 8, 2025.

Religious Zionist Party crosses threshold with four seats as coalition bloc climbs to 53 - poll

The poll shows the coalition bloc rising to 53 seats, up four from the previous survey, driven by Religious Zionism’s gains. The opposition bloc gained 57 seats.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich seen after a press conference at the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem on December 4, 2025.

From Talmud to temptation: How erotica found a home in Orthodox Israel

Romance and erotica in literature, once niche, is growing in popularity among religious readers.

Romance and erotica novels are gaining popularity among religious women in Israel, with some rabbis quietly endorsing the genre for 'peace in the home.'

'A movement takes time': How one rabbi is slowly changing the haredi draft debate

Behind protests and politics, a quiet revolution is reshaping ultra-Orthodox attitudes toward military service.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews carry a banner in Hebrew that reads, “to prison and not the army,” during a “million man” protest against military conscription, in Jerusalem October 30, 2025.

Haredi exemption has become Israel's greatest internal security threat - analysis

Allowing ultra-Orthodox Jews to refrain from sharing the burden of IDF service is unsustainable and existentially dangerous.

Haredi protesters against the IDF draft demonstrate in Jerusalem on October 30, 2025.

WATCH: Haredi protesters set fires, block roads, throw stones at police officers, in Beit Shemesh

Haredi demonstrators rioted in Beit Shemesh, blocking buses and throwing stones, as police units moved in to disperse the crowd.

Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protesters gather in Mea She'arim, Jerusalem, to celebrate draft dodgers' release from miiltary prison, November 30, 2025; illustrative.

Aliyah Minister Sofer vows to vote against haredi draft bill, 'even if Netanyahu fires me'

RZP's Ofir Sofer to oppose draft legislation, defying faction head Bezalel Smotrich • Bismuth brings new haredi draft bill outline to Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee

Aliyah and Integration Minister Minister Ofir Sofer holds a press conference at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, December 1, 2025

New haredi draft bill dodges real service demands, delays accountability - editorial

The bill is a clear attempt by Netanyahu to move the goalpost as little as possible while keeping his ultra-Orthodox coalition partners satiated.

 Ultra orthodox Jews scuffle with police during a protest against the drafting of ultra orthodox jews outside an IDF Recruitment Center in Jeursalem, November 12, 2025.

Bismuth advances updated ultra-Orthodox IDF draft bill as Knesset prepares for decisive debates

The revised bill is described by its drafters as a “balanced” response - but its core architecture offers the haredi sector a wide window of relief.

Likud MK Boaz Bismuth, chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, leads a meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, November 10, 2025

Ultra-Orthodox Brooklyn man who abused child may see 103-year sentence reduced - NYT

The message Brooklyn's district attorney was sending was that “politics matters more than protecting children,” said Boorey Deutsch, the husband of the woman who Weberman abused when she was a girl.

Nechemya Weberman convicted for 103 years in prison.