Ultra-Orthodox Jews clash with Israeli police near army's recruitment office

By Abdelraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) - Scores of Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jews on Wednesday protested against conscription, and clashed with Israeli police near an army's recruitment office in West Jerusalem.

Footage published by Israeli social media accounts showed protesters blocking a street near the military base, and clashing with police officers that tried to disperse them.

In one scene, one of the protesters was seen calling the police "Nazis."

In a statement, the Israeli police declared the protest “illegal,” and used force to get demonstrators off roads and drive them away from the area of the recruitment office.

According to Israeli figures, only dozens of Haredi Jews showed up for conscription out of thousands that were requested for drafting into the military service.

For months, the army has faced a personnel shortage amid its ongoing war in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023 military raids in the West Bank and cross-border clashes with Lebanese group Hezbollah.

In June, Israel's Supreme Court mandated the drafting of Haredi Jews into the army and banned financial aid to religious institutions whose students refused military service.

Haredi Jews make up about 13% of Israel's population of approximately 9.9 million and do not serve in the military, dedicating their lives to studying the Torah.

Israeli law requires all Israelis over 18 to serve in the military, and the exemption of Haredi has been a contentious issue for decades.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar