“Better prison than army.” The Haredi rebellion threatens Netanyahu's government

Hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews protested in Jerusalem on Thursday against conscripting members of the group into the army. Hundreds of demonstrators climbed onto the skeleton of the skyscraper under construction, one of them fell and died on the spot. After the protests ended, there were clashes with the police.

Approximately 200,000 people were expected to take part in the protest. people – estimated by the Times of Israel website. A crowd of ultra-Orthodox Jews (Haredim) blocked the main entrance to Jerusalem from Tel Avi.

Representatives of several main currents of the divided party took part in the demonstration Haredi community. According to the Israeli press, this is a rare example of unity in this group.

The gathering had a largely prayerful character, there was no main stage and no speeches. The demonstrators held banners with slogans declaring, among others, that: they would rather go to prison than join the army.

The issue of Haredi conscription is deeply divisive in Israeli society and is currently an issue the most serious political threat to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition. The prime minister's rule is based on the support of extremely nationalist and religious parties, including those representing Haredi interests.

From the beginning of Israel's existence, young men from this group who devoted themselves entirely to religious studies in yeshivas were exempt from compulsory military service. However, this community was a small minority at that time. Ultra-Orthodox Jews currently constitute approximately 13 percent. all Israelis.

Several ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) protesters were killed after falling from a building, and around 58 others were injured due to a stampede during the demonstrations inside the occupied Palestinian territories. pic.twitter.com/M3JQF0dbQb

— Eye on Palestine (@EyeonPalestine) October 30, 2025

In 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that there were no grounds for collective dismissal and ordered the government to conscript Haredim into the army. In recent months, over 870 ultra-Orthodox people have been arrested for skipping duty, which was one of the impetus for Thursday's protest.

Haredim demand a law on conscription exemption

Haredim emphasize that military service is incompatible with their way of life, and conscription may cause young men to leave their faith. Secular groups appeal to social solidarity and argue that collective layoffs cannot be accepted while the country is at war.

Two groups representing ultra-Orthodox interests, Shas and United Torah Judaism, have formally left the coalition supporting Netanyahu, but they still largely vote in its favor, refraining from overthrowing the government for now.

These parties demand the adoption of a law that would regulate the dismissal of yeshiva students from service. Work on the new law has been ongoing for many months, but secular groups are opposed to concessions to the ultra-Orthodox and so far no version satisfactory to all parties has been reached.

During Thursday's demonstrations, protesters attacked several journalists and policemen, the Haaretz newspaper reported. Dozens of demonstrators also entered the construction site of one of the skyscrapers. One of them fell from the building and died on the spot.

After the formal end of the gathering, hundreds of Haredim clashed with security officers, throwing stones and bottles at them, Ynet reported. Police used water cannons to disperse the crowd.

From Jerusalem Jerzy Adamiak (PAP)

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