JERUSALEM, Jun 18 (V7N) – Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews staged a major protest in Israel on Wednesday, demonstrating against compulsory military conscription and the detention of religious youth who have refused enlistment.
The protest took place outside the “Beit Lid” military prison, where demonstrators gathered to demand the release of detained individuals and denounce recent government policies extending mandatory military service to ultra-Orthodox communities.
Participants voiced strong opposition to the conscription law, chanting anti-government slogans as security forces were deployed in large numbers to prevent escalation and maintain order around the facility.
Under Israeli law, military service is compulsory for most citizens over the age of 18. However, for decades, ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities engaged in full-time religious study have been granted exemptions since the founding of the state in 1948.
That long-standing arrangement has come under increasing strain following prolonged military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, which have created manpower shortages within the Israeli Defense Forces.
In response, the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has moved to end or significantly limit these exemptions, making conscription applicable to a broader segment of society, including ultra-Orthodox youth.
The policy shift has triggered widespread resistance from religious groups, leading to repeated street protests and growing political tension within Israel. Analysts say the dispute has become a major source of domestic instability, deepening divisions between secular and religious communities.
Authorities have increased security measures around sensitive military and detention facilities as demonstrations continue, while political negotiations over the scope of exemptions remain ongoing.
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