Jerusalem witnessed a massive demonstration on Thursday, with thousands of Haredi Jews protesting the failure to pass a law granting them exemption from mandatory military service. This is a long-standing religious and social demand that religious parties are striving to enshrine in Israeli legislation.
Israeli media reported that the protests caused widespread traffic disruptions and chaos at bus and train stations, with a heavy police presence attempting to disperse the demonstrators and restore normal traffic flow.
The issue of Haredi conscription is one of the most contentious in Israel. The religious community argues that Torah study constitutes a spiritual service equivalent to military service, while secular forces maintain that repeated exemptions violate the principle of equality among citizens.




