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

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, Anadolu Agency reports.

Footage published by Israeli social media accounts showed protesters blocking a street near the military base, and clashing with police officers who 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 7 October, 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 per cent 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.

READ: Israel police arrest ultra-Orthodox Jews at anti-conscription protest