Hundreds of Haredim Arrested in Protests Against Mandatory Military Service in Israel
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, hundreds of Haredi Jews were arrested in Bnei Brak during protests against Israel‘s mandatory military service law. Demonstrators blocked Highway 4, which connects Bnei Brak to Tel Aviv, causing significant traffic disruptions.
The protests follow violent clashes last week between Israeli police and Haredi protesters on Bar Ilan Street in Jerusalem, where 13 demonstrators were injured. The unrest began after the arrest of a Haredi individual who had evaded military service.
The ongoing crisis over conscription has intensified tensions between religious parties and the Israeli cabinet, threatening the stability of the governing coalition. Defense Minister Israel Katz’s December statement advocating for the integration of Haredi Jews into the military, with a goal of recruiting 50% within seven years, has further fueled the conflict.
Hebrew-language newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth recently reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering dissolving the Knesset and calling for snap elections due to the difficulty in passing the Haredi conscription bill.
