Protests Erupt as Haredim Clash with Israeli Police Over Conscription
Dozens of Haredi Jewish settlers gathered in front of a recruitment center in Tel Aviv on October 31, 2024, to protest against compulsory military service. The demonstration turned violent as protesters clashed with Israeli police, who attempted to disperse the crowd. Reports indicate that at least two Haredim were arrested during the protests in both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
The tensions escalated when Haredi protesters labeled police officers as 'Nazis' while expressing their refusal to enlist in the Israeli army. Eyewitness accounts and videos shared on social media depicted police using force to control the situation. The protests occurred shortly after Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi called for an increase in military personnel, emphasizing the need for more soldiers from both reserve and regular forces.
The backdrop of these protests is rooted in a recent decision by the Israeli army to issue military service summonses to 1,000 Haredim, part of a broader strategy to bolster the army's ranks. Initially, the Israeli government aimed to recruit 3,000 young Haredim in 2024, with plans to increase that number to 4,800 by 2025 and 2026. However, compliance has been low, with few Haredim responding to the recruitment orders.
The Israeli Supreme Court has also weighed in, mandating that Haredim must enlist in the military and prohibiting financial support from religious institutions for students who refuse service. This legal ruling has intensified the ongoing debate about military service among Haredi communities, which traditionally oppose conscription.
