Ultra-Orthodox

Knesset passes contentious haredi-backed bill to enshrine Torah study in Israel's Basic Law

The haredi-backed Basic Law passed its final Knesset votes after weeks of coalition tensions and warnings that it could encourage draft evasion.

MK Yitzhak Goldknopf (United Torah Judaism) attends a House committee meeting at the Knesset, July 12, 2026.
The Knesset House Committee votes to advance the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties' bill that seeks to enshrine Torah Study in the country's Basic Law. June 30, 2026.

Voting rights and PACs: Solutions for the haredi draft evasion problem - opinion

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men from the Vizhnitz Hasidic dynasty study Torah outside the Justice Ministry in Jerusalem during a silent protest against the imprisonment of yeshiva students who failed to comply with military recruitment orders, July 1, 2026; Illustrative.

Basic Law: Debasing Torah - opinion

Knesset panel advances bill to freeze arrests of haredi draft evaders, July 12, 2026.

Knesset panel advances bill to freeze arrests of haredi draft evaders amid legal warnings


Beyond mourning: Rebuilding the Temple starts with rebuilding Israeli society - opinion

The Temple's restoration begins with restoring unity, justice, and shared responsibility in society.

 Second Temple Model

Haredi protesters rally outside Jerusalem cafe open on Shabbat

Hundreds of Jerusalem residents gathered in support of Cafe Basimta as police removed two protesters near the entrance.

Ultra-Orthodox protesters outside of the Basimta cafe on Saturday, July 4, 2026.

Haredi leadership and Netanyahu are facing the same dilemma - opinion

Haredi leadership is throwing everything at the wall: a Basic Law, road-blocking protests organized by the party, voting boycotts in the Knesset – anything to convince their base they can deliver

HAREDI DEMONSTRATORS protest in Jerusalem on July 23, 2025.

Laundering human capital: The reckless amnesty bills and their debasement of the Torah - opinion

Under the guise of concern for the world of Torah, two bills are on the table: the Basic Law: Torah Study on the one side, and the Law of Exemption from Arrests on the other. 

Haredi anti-draft protesters block Highway 4 near Bnei Brak denouncing the detention of a draft dodger, February 9, 2026.

Haredi protests against Jerusalem Light Rail continue, reports of over NIS 400 million in damage

The protests follow an N12 News report that haredi protests have cumulatively caused over NIS 400 million in damage to the Jerusalem light rail's unfinished Green Line.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish protesters set fire to construction materials during a protest against construction work on the Jerusalem Light Rail in the Bar-Ilan area of Jerusalem, June 8, 2026.

The hidden economic danger in the Basic Law on Torah Study

Another significant dimension has received almost no attention: the possibility that the law will alter Israel’s national priorities and damage the growth engines on which the Israeli economy depends

MKS ATTEND a House committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, on June 16, 2026.

Likud MK Kallner opposes criminal arrests for haredi draft evaders, backs economic sanctions

Kallner, a member of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, told 103FM that he does not think arresting yeshiva students is 'the right way.'

An Israeli soldier guard as young men gathered during a demonstration by Ultra-Orthodox Jews against Israel's military draft on June 17, 2026 outside the Beit Lid military base in Kfar Yona, Israel. The conscription of young ultra-Orthodox men into the military, from which they were long exempt.

Police remove haredi protesters attempting to block Jerusalem light rail construction

Members of Jerusalem's haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community have for weeks attempted to block construction of the light rail on Bar Ilan Street.

Ultra orthoodx jewish men block a road during a protest against the jailing of yeshiva students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order, in Jerusalem, July 1, 2026; Illustrative.

Haredi protesters break into Jerusalem Light Rail construction sites, assault workers

In one video seen by The Jerusalem Post, haredi protesters try to push through the fence and get into a physical altercation with construction workers. 

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish protesters set fire to construction materials during a protest against construction work on the Jerusalem Light Rail in the Bar-Ilan area of Jerusalem, June 8, 2026.

Jerusalem cafe will remain open on Shabbat despite ultra-Orthodox protest, owner says

The Jerusalem Post magazine had highlighted Cafe Basimta last week as a new specialty caffeine spot which could serve as a "home away from home" for those seeking a quiet area in Jerusalem.

Ultra-Orthodox protesters outside of the Basimta cafe on Saturday, July 4, 2026.