Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protesters began gathering next to the recruitment center in Tel Hashomer on Wednesday morning, protesting the drafting of haredim into the IDF.
N12 reported that about 80 haredim are scheduled to enlist in combat-support roles.
Police were recorded dragging the protesters out of the road, where they were blocking traffic. They also declared the protest an unlawful gathering and arrested one protester.
Additional protests also began outside the recruitment center in Jerusalem later in the day.
Haredi draft necessary to plug IDF manpower hole
The IDF said on Tuesday that it must be able, by March, to mobilize a significantly larger number of soldiers – particularly from the haredi community – to avert an impending manpower crisis in January 2027.
In January 2027, around 2,500 mandatory service combat soldiers will be released all at once, putting the military at risk of major holes without an immediate, correspondingly large influx of new soldiers.
Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.