Ultra-Orthodox

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

|ByDAPHNA AVIRAM-NITZAN
MKS ATTEND a House committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, on June 16, 2026.
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.

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.'

|By103FM
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.

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.

|ByEFRAT FORSHER
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.

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. 

|ByCORINNE BAUM

Man attacked by haredi protesters outside Jerusalem police station after Sohlberg rioters arrested

The man, uninvolved in the protest, was pushed to the ground and suffered a head wound, Ynet reported.

JUNE 5, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Ultra orthodox jewish men protest against the jailing of yeshiva students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order, at the home of Supreme Court Deputy President Noam Sohlberg in Alon Shvut, June 3, 2026.

Haredi military aid org warns Netanyahu draft dodger arrests threaten ultra-Orthodox enlistment

CEO Yossi Levi said that efforts to draft haredim should focus on those not enrolled in a yeshiva, rather than on arresting those who have committed to studying Torah full-time.

JUNE 5, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men.

Netanyahu slams violent ultra-Orthodox riot at Supreme Court Justice Sohlberg’s home

Rioters reportedly caused significant property damage and attempted to break into Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg's home.

JUNE 3, 2026BySARAH BEN-NUN, SHOSHANA BAKER
Ultra orthodox jewish men protest against the jailing of yeshiva students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order, at the home of Supreme Court Deputy President Noam Sohlberg in Alon Shvut, June 3, 2026.

Haredi daycare subsidies risk fueling enlistment backlash, political firestorms - analysis

The haredi parties may garner enough support from Netanyahu and the Likud to pass their childcare subsidy bill. But it may prove a hollow victory.

JUNE 3, 2026ByHERB KEINON
Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jewish men block a road and clash with police during a protest against the autopsy of toddlers who died earlier in a daycare, in Jerusalem, January 19, 2026.

Ultra-Orthodox protesters hold anti-draft protests, block train tracks near airport

Additionally, at least three police officers were injured during the protests, Israel Police said following the event's conclusion.

JUNE 1, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
HAREDI PROTESTERS block Highway 1, June 1, 2026.

Haredim making headway in hi-tech: Projects to introduce ultra-Orthodox to workforce see success

According to Moshe Friedman, co-founder and CEO of Kama Tech, there are some 15,000 haredim currently employed in Israel’s hi-tech industries.

MAY 31, 2026ByGREER FAY CASHMAN
Avratech director Aaron Safrai (right) is pictured with ultra-Orthodox Jewish students learning computer programming at Avratech's Jerusalem offices

IDF preparing to arrest haredi draft dodgers as early as next week - report

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu commended the IDF's haredi Hasmonean Brigade for simultaneously learning Torah and serving, as the IDF prepares to arrest those avoiding military service.

MAY 29, 2026ByARIELLA ROITMAN
Ultra-Orthodox Jews walk through a forest near the grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in Meron, northern Israel, attempting to reach the Lag BaOmer celebrations after the site was closed by police following Home Front Command restrictions, May 5, 2026.

WATCH: Haredi protesters shout 'kill all Jews,' throw stones at police attempting to restore order

The protests follow the ongoing arrests of draft dodgers and the contentious draft bill.

MAY 28, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
ULTRA-ORTHODOX Jewish men block a road during a protest against the jailing of seminary students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order in Bnei Brak, April 28, 2026.

IDF to step up arresting haredi draft dodgers, requests police's support in operation - report

KAN noted that in the past, Police Commissioner Danny Levy refused to grant the IDF police support of this kind. 

MAY 25, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish sector has been protesting over the attempts to draft young haredi men into the military.

Haredi MKs instructed to end cooperation with coalition over contentious ultra-Orthodox draft bill

Progress on the contentious haredi draft legislation has become intertwined with the push for the haredi parties - Shas and United Torah Judaism - to dissolve the Knesset and move up the election.

MAY 25, 2026ByKESHET NEEV
MK Boaz Bismuth seen with Haredi MK's during a plenum session at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, January 14, 2026.