Picture courtesy of AFP via Bangkok Post

 

Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men gathered in Jerusalem on Thursday to protest against mandatory military service. This large-scale demonstration sends a clear message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, demanding legislation to secure an exemption for their community. The protest highlighted the internal tension within Israel's ruling coalition, as securing this exemption is a long-standing promise from Netanyahu to his ultra-Orthodox allies.

 

The rally was marked by signs declaring, "Better to go to prison than to the army," with protesters climbing buildings, petrol stations, and bridges. Abraham, a yeshiva student, was among the demonstrators who insisted that their refusal to enlist stemmed from religious preservation, not selfishness. The protest followed a clampdown on draft evaders, with several individuals imprisoned and thousands ignoring call-up notices amidst increased military pressure due to the war in Gaza.

 

The protest attracted significant opposition, with Israeli police deploying 2,000 officers and reporting one fatality. Opposition Knesset member Avigdor Liberman condemned the rally as disrespectful to Israeli soldiers. In June 2024, the supreme court ruled to draft ultra-Orthodox men, sparking debates within Israeli society. Efforts to end exemptions have been tabled, placing Netanyahu's coalition in a precarious position, as support from ultra-Orthodox parties is vital.

 

Looking ahead, a parliamentary committee is currently evaluating a bill aimed at ending exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men not studying religious texts full-time. With the ultra-Orthodox community making up 14 percent of Israel's Jewish population, the outcome of this legislation could significantly influence future enlistment trends. The political implications are substantial, as ultra-Orthodox parties in the coalition threaten to withdraw support, jeopardising Netanyahu's government.

 

 

Key Takeaways:

 

• Tens of thousands protested in Jerusalem against mandatory army service.
• Netanyahu faces coalition strain over military exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men.
• Israeli supreme court demands drafting of ultra-Orthodox men by June 2024.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-10-31

 

 

So here it is: No draft if you're really Jewish! Because, you know, though shalt not kill 'n' all. Those, sometimes call ultra-Orthodox, are Haredim.

 

In August the IDF offered amnesty to thousands (more than a few) draft 'evaders'...if they signed up. Sounds like Putin, eh?

https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-offers-one-time-amnesty-to-thousands-of-draft-dodgers-citing-manpower-shortage/

 

Public conscientious objectors, sarvanim or refuseniks, have snowballed during Israel's war on Gaza. An organized group supports refuseniks, evaders, reserve soldiers, soldiers refusing to serve and deserters: Yesh Gvul, founded in 1982, can be translated as "There is a limit", or "Enough Is Enough". Most military refusers see the IDF not as an army of defense but one of aggression.

 

There are at least a dozen refusers in military prisons at any one time. This is a misleading  number for the total resistance to military service because sarvanim serve short initial sentences, four months, repeated and lengthened for every subsequent refusal. Until they give one up as a lost cause.

 

This article only mentions ultra-Orthodox men not women. Women are equally drafted into the IDF.

 

Wars will cease when men refuse to serve. This leads me to the question of why National Guardsmen, reserve soldiers in the US, don't refuse illegal orders, or at least none we hear of. Similarly for those soldiers bombing alleged 'drug boats', killing 61 so far.

Seems like a classic case of "this is my land". But chicken out when they are actually asked to do something about it.

So the women do their bit and fight while the men eat and pray.

I see .Interesting society.

This issue may be new to some, but it has going on for many decades.

Israel, as the one Jewish state, has had a policy that it is a social value to have the ultra religious segment occupied with Jewish religious studies.

It's not really about thou shalt not kill, like Quakers.

Haredi are not the only real Jews, but they are extreme.

Naturally that causes resentment in the majority of the population in a nation with compulsory national service.

I'm not aware of many people becoming Haredi just to avoid the draft. 

My impression is that's it's mostly about being born into a family like that.

I suppose if it was only a tiny percentage of the population having this exemption it wouldn't be so controversial. But they are much bigger than tiny.

If I was Israeli, I'd be pissed too, but it is their business. 

57 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

Seems like a classic case of "this is my land". But chicken out when they are actually asked to do something about it.

Well there are some ultra religious Jews in Israel who are aggressively anti-Zionist. A small minority but anti-Zionists love them and act like they're a significant group. 

12 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Well there are some ultra religious Jews in Israel who are aggressively anti-Zionist. A small minority but anti-Zionists love them and act like they're a significant group. 

You've lost me there.

Explain?

7 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

You've lost me there.

Explain?

A significant part of haredi jews are anti-zionist.

2 minutes ago, stevenl said:

A significant part of haredi jews are anti-zionist.

Thanks

6 minutes ago, stevenl said:

A significant part of haredi jews are anti-zionist.

Zionism only means support for the existence and right to defend a nation state homeland for the Jewish people. The vast majority of Israeli Jews support that.

You're conflating right wing Israeli governments with the state itself.

The anti-Zionist ultra religious have an ideology that Israel should have never existed as a state. Again, a tiny minority.

To be clear most Haredis as are featured in this topic are not against the existence of the state of Israeli but yeah most don't want to serve in the IDF.

28 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

You're conflating right wing Israeli governments with the state itself.

The anti-Zionist ultra religious have an ideology that Israel should have never existed as a state.

I am not conflating anything. I pointed out that a significant part of haredi jews are anti-zionist.

7 minutes ago, stevenl said:

I am not conflating anything. I pointed out that a significant part of haredi jews are anti-zionist.

Oh I see what you're saying. I don't think you're correct about that either.

20 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Oh I see what you're saying. I don't think you're correct about that either.

Of course you think that.

10 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Of course you think that.

According to this the majority of Haredi do not identify as ANTI-Zionist, but do identify as either NON-Zionist or Zionist.

 

Haredim and Zionism - Wikipedia

 

There is a group of very extremist anti-Zionist activist ultra religious. Only about 5,000 peopele. Those are the bozos that go to Iran to attend holocaust denial conferences.

I still think you and I have very different definitions of Zionism.

I think you think it means supporting policies like west bank settlements, etc.

35 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

According to this the majority of Haredi do not identify as ANTI-Zionist, but do identify as either NON-Zionist or Zionist.

 

Haredim and Zionism - Wikipedia

 

There is a group of very extremist anti-Zionist activist ultra religious. Only about 5,000 peopele. Those are the bozos that go to Iran to attend holocaust denial conferences.

I still think you and I have very different definitions of Zionism.

I think you think it means supporting policies like west bank settlements, etc.

Why do you mention 'majority'? Dishonest posting, i said 'a significant part'. From your link "The largest anti-Zionist Hasidic group is Satmar, which has around 100,000 adherents worldwide (as of 2006)."

 

You're better of sticking to your own thoughts than imagining what i think. I posted a fact.

6 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

This article only mentions ultra-Orthodox men not women. Women are equally drafted into the IDF.

I don't think they allow women, I've looked at 3 videos and can't see any.

 

I can see why these guys don’t want in the army.

 

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

The anti-Zionist ultra religious have an ideology that Israel should have never existed as a state.

Would you call them antisemitic?

13 minutes ago, JimCM said:

Would you call them antisemitic?

No.

That group of about 5000 the most extremist I would call insane.

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

No.

That group of about 5000 the most extremist I would call insane.

I just googled them and I agree. The woman can dance but only with other woman and behind a curtain.

 

6 minutes ago, JimCM said:

I just googled them and I agree. The woman can dance but only with other woman and behind a curtain.

 

I was specifically talking about Neturei Karta.

Considered very fringe and extremist even by Haredi. A very tiny group they are often used by the most vile Jew haters who act as if they are a large group. Nope. Tiny.

 

 

6 minutes ago, JimCM said:

I just googled them and I agree. The woman can dance but only with other woman and behind a curtain.

 

I don't think all Haredi are insane any more than Amish or Mormons.

Neturei Karta though I do.

52 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Why do you mention 'majority'? Dishonest posting, i said 'a significant part'. From your link "The largest anti-Zionist Hasidic group is Satmar, which has around 100,000 adherents worldwide (as of 2006)."

 

You're better of sticking to your own thoughts than imagining what i think. I posted a fact.

I was specifically referring to Neturei Karta. Estimated at about 5000 people

 

17 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I was specifically referring to Neturei Karta. Estimated at about 5000 people

 

So you responded to me with a changed goal post. Dishonest.

37 minutes ago, stevenl said:

So you responded to me with a changed goal post. Dishonest.

Depends on your definition of significant.

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt about that.

Since you tell me I made the wrong assumption about what you think Zionism is, may I ask what is your definition of it? I posted mine. 

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

I don't think all Haredi are insane any more than Amish or Mormons.

Neturei Karta though I do.

I was thinking of Amish. I respect them, and the NK too if they have similar values.

I’ve a Jewish friend who never comes out on Saturdays as  he can’t use machines to travel. He is quite extreme in think but doesn’t wear the big hats.

47 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Depends on your definition of significant.

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt about that.

Since you tell me I made the wrong assumption about what you think Zionism is, may I ask what is your definition of it? I posted mine. 

Zionists see the State of Israel as part of a divine plan, a step toward the fulfillment of biblical prophecy.

2 hours ago, JimCM said:

Zionists see the State of Israel as part of a divine plan, a step toward the fulfillment of biblical prophecy.

You're thinking of Christian evangelicals.

8 hours ago, JimCM said:

I can see why these guys don’t want in the army.

 

Jeez, if they are the chosen people, who chose them and what was he on at the time?