Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews (haredim) faced the police last night in the city of Modi’in, 35 kilometres west of Jerusalem, to prevent the arrest of one of the members accused of desertion.
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06/10/2026
by
Lusa
O incident demanded reinforcements of the Military Police, which, according to the EFE agency, faced moments of tension after dozens of haredim invaded the building where the arrest of the young man who refused military incorporation would take place.
In the end, the police decided to withdraw without arresting the individual who intended to avoid military service.
“ During the operation, a large number of protesters met and acted in an organized manner with the aim of interrupting the activity of the Military Police, obstructing the arrests and endangering the security of soldiers,” the Israeli Army said.
Historically, ultra-Orthodox Jews enjoyed an exemption from compulsory military service in Israel, to which the Supreme Court ended in June 2024.
The decision of the superior court has provoked, in the last two years, constant demonstrations of haredim, road interdictions and blockades to military police operations, to prevent the arrest of those who avoid military service.
The ultra-Orthodox Israeli community argues that haredim must continue to focus on studying the Torah in the yeshivas (talmudic schools) and that their place in society is “out of the Army”.
However, a significant part of society supports the listing of haredim, especially given the need for reservists in the country after the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023.
The debate has reached the political sphere in recent times and should be one of the main factors in mobilizing votes — both by the current government and the opposition — for the October 27 elections.
The ultra-Orthodox parties, allies of the coalition government led by Benjamin Netanyahu, pressed unsuccessfully for the approval of a standard that would exempt the ultra-orthodox youth from military service.
The confrontation last night occurred after a series of protests and disturbances in recent months, especially by young haredim.
In September, dozens of ultra-orthodox had already manifested themselves in front of the house of a high-ranking police officer in Jerusalem, after six alleged deserters had been detained at Ben Gurion airport while attempting to leave the country.
In early August, members of a haredi faction in Jerusalem blocked roads due to the arrest of another student, displaying tracks that compared military service to “spiritual death.”.
Currently, some 80,000 ultra-orthodox people between the ages of 18 and 24 meet the requirements for military service, but have not enlisted.
The Attorney General's Office urged the government to strengthen compliance with recruitment orders, including the arrest of young men who avoid incorporation.