Draft

Knesset passes in first reading bill to enshrine Torah study into Basic Law

The wording in the proposal emphasizes Torah study as “a fundamental value in the heritage of the Jewish people and in the State of Israel.”

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

Former haredim overlooked in draft debate, underrepresented in workforce, report finds

Protesters supporting the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men into the Israeli military block a road in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, central Israel, in protest against the continued road blockades by ultra-Orthodox demonstrators following the arrest of draft evaders, June 26, 2026.

Ultra-Orthodox party paralyzes Knesset votes to force through military draft exemptions

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

Marathon Knesset meetings set to rapidly advance haredi parties’ contentious Torah study bill


Following hours of haredi draft protests, Israeli highways reopen to traffic

Protests cause heavy traffic on 29 major roads • Social media footage shows protesters and secular citizens in violent physical altercations • MKs Goldknopf, Malkieli attended protests

A haredi man looks on as traffic builds at Hemed Interchange on Highway 1 amid ultra-Orthadox anti-draft protests, June 24, 2026.

Haredi leadership must help Israel move from division to shared purpose - opinion

It is inconceivable to most of us living here that in the minds of some in the religious leadership in this country there is a belief that studying Torah is fully equivalent to serving in the army.

 Protests against haredi draft in Jerusalem, October 30, 2025.

Ultra-Orthodox anti-draft protesters indicted for breaking into military police chief's home

The indictment says protesters carried signs reading, “War on the draft law, in actions and not words,” and shouted slogans including “We will die and not enlist” and “Yuval Yamin is a traitor."

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men protest outside the home of Military Police commander Brig.-Gen. Yuval Yamin, in Ashkelon, April 28, 2026

‘Backstabbing those who serve’: Deputy FM slams coalition laws aiding draft evaders - interview

Explaining why she has voted against the legislation, Haskel said in her interview with the Post that, “we are at war, and when we have a pyramid of priorities, security always has to be on the top."

Deputy Minister MK Sharren Haskel attends a plenum session at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, May 20, 2026.

Some 25 hesder yeshivot boycott IDF's tank corps over new pilot to incorporate women

The Yeshivot Heseder leaders believe that mingling between men and women in such a small, secluded space would compromise modesty.

IDF reserve Infantry and Merkava Tank soldiers train in a military exercise in the Golan Heights on October 23, 2023

WATCH: Haredim protest in Jerusalem, central Israel over detention of draft dodgers

Israel Police said later on Wednesday that the Jerusalem protests had been dispersed and roads had reopened to traffic.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish protesters demonstrate against the arrest of ultra orthodox jewish men who took part in a protest outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg and were later handed over to the military police, outside the police station in Jerusalem, June 10, 2026.

Haredi protesters block Jerusalem road over false reports of draft dodger arrest

In addition, Jerusalem District Police raided the homes of suspects connected to the June 1 haredi riots in Beit Shemesh.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men clash with police during a protest against construction work on the Jerusalem Light Rail in the Bar-Ilan area of Jerusalem, June 8, 2026; Illustrative.

Ultra-Orthodox protesters block Jerusalem's Tunnel Checkpoint after draft dodger arrested

Border Police officers from the Jerusalem periphery unit and Jerusalem District police officers are operating at the scene.

HAREDI PROTESTERS block Highway 1, June 1, 2026.

Israel must stop tolerating anti-draft anarchy - opinion

The young men and women who put their lives on the line for all of us, including the yeshiva students, display more courage by realizing that a nation that will not defend itself is not worth saving.

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.

WATCH: Bodycam shows soldier rescued by police from haredi protest amid threats, attacks

The soldier was rescued after getting off a blocked bus in Jerusalem, where he was surrounded by an agitated crowd of protesters.

HAREDI MEN protest against the jailing of yeshiva students who failed to comply with an IDF draft order, in May 2026.