Haredi

Haredi conscription debate threatens long-standing Israeli coalitions - opinion

Ultra-Orthodox parties face mounting political backlash as Israel’s war strains the reserve system and coalition stability.

 Ultra-Orthodox Jews clash with police outside the IDF Recruitment Center at Tel Hashomer, central Israel, April 28, 2025
 THE NEW ‘ohel’ built over the grave of the Baal Shem Tov.

Inside the sacred resting place of the Baal Shem Tov in Medzhybizh

PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu speaks alongside former Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban in Budapest last year. Orban transformed Hungary into a quasi-autocracy, while Netanyahu has not achieved the same in Israel, the writer says.

Are new Knesset proposals pushing Israel toward Hungary-style governance? - opinion

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men protest against the jailing of seminary students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order outside the home of Military Police commander Brig. Gen. Yuval Yamin in Ashkelon, May 14, 2026.

Ultra-Orthodox protesters attempt to invade military police chief's home


IDF launches recruitment push for ultra-Orthodox combat units active across war fronts

The units being recruited for, Hetz Company, Netzah Yehuda Battalion, and Hasmonaim Brigade, have all operated across multiple fronts throughout the ongoing war.

 An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man is seen exiting an IDF recruiting office in Jerusalem, June 25, 2024

WATCH: Police forcefully disperse anti-draft haredi Jerusalem Faction protest at Chords Bridge

Members of the anti-IDF draft Jerusalem Faction protest blocked Jerusalem’s Chords Bridge, causing traffic disruptions as Israel Police worked to restore order.

Anti-IDF haredi activists Jerusalem Faction activists block the road under Jerusalem's Chords Bridge, April 29, 2026.

Brooklyn hasidic Jew found dead in remote area of Colombia, ZAKA working to repatriate body

Reports suggest that the body of 51-year-old Rabbi Nachum Israel Auer was found in a desecrated state, but investigators are still piecing together the details.

Rabbi Nahum Israel Ober.

Former PM Bennett backs civil marriage, public transport on Shabbat

Naftali Bennett’s remarks in favor of civil marriage and public transport on Shabbat draw praise from left-wing figures but face sharp criticism from haredi parties.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett at a conference in Jerusalem, February 17, 2026; illustrative.

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

Israel Police intervened and removed Bismuth from the scene without injury. 

MK BOAZ Bismuth leads a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting at the Knesset, in February 2026.

Knesset Finance panel debates transfer of NIS 98 million to haredi schools

The High Court ordered last month that the Finance Committee reconvene and hold a fresh deliberation on the matter before voting to approve the transfer of the funds.

Finance Committee chair MK Hanoch Milwidsky leads a Finance committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, during the war with Iran and Hezbollah, March 15, 2026.

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

Sunday's High Court hearing highlights the growing IDF manpower strain, as criticism mounts over government delays in enforcing haredi conscription.

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 presses government over failure to enforce haredi draft ruling, reserves decision

The case centers on the government’s failure to carry out the November 2025 ruling, which held that the state must formulate an effective enforcement policy against haredi draft evasion.

A haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protester argues with a police officer outside the Jerusalem IDF recruitment center, April 12, 2026.

IDF chief rejects coalition recruitment law amid personnel crisis

The IDF has acknowledged a critical shortage of 9,000 combat soldiers on the ground and warned that the deficit could rise to 17,000 by the end of the year unless urgent legislation is passed.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir visits Central Command soldiers on March 17, 2026.

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

Protesters attempted to block vehicles while lying in the road, addressing officers deployed at Tel Hashomer with "hateful chants." 

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.