haredim

MK Bismuth: 'You cannot force people to enlist in the army'

MK Boaz Bismuth, who is spearheading the newest Draft Law proposal, tells haredi news outlet that forcing people to enlist is 'nonsense,' sparking controversy.

Battle over Draft Law reaches Brooklyn

A group of extremist haredi protesters in Brooklyn demonstrated against Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, who is visiting the Borough Park neighborhood, due to his position on Israel’s Draft Law.

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Hashmonaim Brigade's first squad commanders graduate course

Hashmonaim Brigade's first group of squad commanders graduates course with 70 haredi future commanders to lead the brigade's next generations.

Lapid sparks uproar:

'Strip voting rights from draft dodgers - but not Arabs'

Yair Lapid explains that the bill his party will advance will focus on revoking voting rights from those who received a draft order but failed to report, and will not apply to the Arab public.

Haredi party to oppose Draft Law?

Ahead of expected legislative blitz, Hamodia newspaper report raises questions about support for Draft Law proposal.

Report

Haredi parties asked MK Tibi for help on Draft Law

Representatives of the haredi factions recently approached MK Ahmed Tibi with a request that he be absent from the expected vote on the draft law - in an attempt to thwart the law's repeal

Yeshiva Deans Warn:

Draft law plan could dismantle haredi Hesder track

The Association of Haredi Hesder Yeshivot warns that the draft law being formed prevents combining military service with professional or technical certificate studies, potentially eliminating the possibility of a haredi Hesder track.

Jerusalem official demands:

Stop using skunk spray in haredi neighborhoods

'Substance has never been tested, is dangerous to health,' Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Yitzhak Brim claims.

Satmar Rebbe In Israel:

'Anyone who serves in the army is impure'

Exclusive footage from the trip the Satmar Rebbe made this week in Israel shows his texts against the state, against the IDF, and against the haredi parties, which he regards as too conciliatory.

After being closed to women

Jerusalem Municipality cuts funding to haredi Hanukkah concert

The municipality withdrew support after organizers canceled the women’s section and made the haredi Hanukkah concert men-only, following rabbinic rulings against mixed musical events.

Karliner Rebbe meets MK Bismuth to discuss Draft Law

MK Boaz Bismuth who chairs key Knesset committee, meets Karliner Rebbe ahead of renewed discussions on Draft Law.

Followi:ng expose

Calls mount for haredi high school coordinator to be fired

Leftist group demands disciplinary action against Jerusalem official over racist descriptions in haredi girls' school files.

14-year-old arrested on suspicion of assaulting MK Yoav Ben-Tzur

The 14-year-old boy, a Jerusalem resident, was taken for questioning eight days after Shas MK Yoav Ben-Tzur was attacked by haredi protesters opposing the Draft Law.

Shas party greenlights Draft Law bill

Members of Shas' Council of Torah Sages respond to complaints against party MKs, clarify that MKs are '100% subordinate to them,' and condemn protests.

Haredi party head:

No government with haredi support without Draft Law

United Torah Judaism chief MK Yitzhak Goldknopf demands Draft Law pass before elections, warns no coalition will receive haredi support until it passes.

Yoaz Hendel:

'We want neither Arabs nor haredim in the government'

The 'Reservists' party led by Yoaz Hendel announced on Wednesday the launch of its campaign and a membership drive, presenting a platform that calls to revoke voting rights from those who do not serve.

Rare historic documents:

Army deferment only for dedicated yeshiva students

Letters from late haredi leaders Rabbi Elazar Menachem Shach and Rabbi Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman stress importance of ensuring only those truly dedicated to Torah learning receive deferments from military service.

Ashdod:

Extremists protest outside Shas MK's home

Jerusalem Faction protestors demonstrate Draft Law proposal outside home of Shas MK Yinon Azoulay in Ashdod.

Leading haredi rabbi expected to greenlight Draft Law proposal

Lithuanian-haredi leader Rabbi Dov Lando expected to conditionally-approve Draft Law proposal, work togehther with Shas to support bill.

University Heights, Ohio:

First orthodox Jewish woman voted as mayor of US city

Michelle Weiss was elected mayor of University Heights, Ohio, becoming the first orthodox Jewish woman to serve as a mayor in the US.

Rabbi Lando to donors: Woe to us if the yeshivas close

Rabbi Dov Lando thanks US, European donors who gave large sums to yeshivas, but warns it is not enough.

Haredi MKs to get increased security following Draft Law protests

Police increase security for two Degel Hatorah MKs following increased protests, threats to their safety.

Can a Rabbi make a mistake?

How can it be possible that so many great haredi Rabbis err in their opposition to Zionism?

Shas MK attacked by haredi extremists

Dozens of haredi youths attack Shas MK Yoav Ben Tzur in Jerusalem, protesting support for Draft Law.

Haredi newspaper editor: 'We do not belong on the Right'

'The moment working together endangers the Jewish future of Torah learners, the question will be brought to the sages; I don't know what will happen,' Yated Ne'eman editorial warns.

Popular hasidic photographer dies at 47

Yaakov David Brim, a popular hasidic photographer, dies at 47 following a sudden stroke.

Jerusalem:

Thousands at Eida Haharedit anti-conscription demonstration

Thousands of haredim from the Eida Haharedit and Jerusalem Faction marched in Jerusalem against the draft law, blocking streets as rabbis called for 'war' on the decree.

Leading Lithuanian-haredi rabbi grants green light to Draft Law

Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch grants approval in principle to advance legislation on Draft Law proposed by MK Boaz Bismuth.

Degel Hatorah debates Draft Law as coalition hangs in the balance

Sources estimate that Shas party will support Draft Law - but only if Lithuanian-haredi leadership does as well. 'All eyes are on Lithuanian leadership in Bnei Brak.'

Officers will not face charges for assaulting haredim in Meron

A year and a half after hharedim were recorded being violently assaulted in Meron, the police officers will not face prosecution for procedural reasons.

Ashdod:

Assaulted yeshiva students are afraid to file a complaint

Scooter-riding youths continue attacking haredi passersby in Ashdod, punching their victims before vanishing.

Knesset committee to advance Torah Studies Law

Ministerial Committee for Legislation to discuss recognizing Torah study as 'significant service,' parallel to cancellation of discussion on Draft Law.

Rabbi Ben Meir: Haredi public mistaken in its struggle

In an interview with Arutz Sheva, Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Meir says the Haredi public is mistaken in the way it is managing the struggle over drafting those who do not study Torah.

Amit Segal:

Haredi protest signals deep crisis, lack of viable future model

Analyst Amit Segal points to mass haredi demonstration in Jerusalem, notes 'semantic' change in Draft Law indicates deeper rift in haredi society.

Man falls to his death in Jerusalem at anti-conscription rally

Massive rally against haredi conscription in the capital turned deadly when a 20-year-old fell from a height at a construction site. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Thousands of haredim protest IDF conscription

Tens of thousands gathered in Jerusalem for a mass rally protesting the arrests of haredi draft evaders, declaring loyalty to Torah study and denouncing the government.

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Haredi demonstrators attack reporter in Jerusalem

Participants at the anti-conscription rally in Jerusalem threw water bottles at Channel 12 reporter Inbar Twizer and her camera crew live on air.

Jerusalem rally:

Rabbi Zini bans participation in rally, warns of national harm

Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu Zini strongly prohibits participation in haredi protest against the Draft Law, warning it 'stabs IDF soldiers in the back,' will cause lasting harm to the nation and Torah.

Minister Eliyahu:

ZAKA service as vital as combat, laws won’t solve draft crisis

Otzma Yehudit's Minister Amichai Eliyahu criticizes Draft Law debate, calls for education over coercion.

Hostages Families Forum sends warning to haredi protest group

Hostages Families Forum sends cease and desist warning to Ateret Shlomo Yeshiva in Beit Shemesh, claiming 'cynical, degrading, and unlawful use' of symbols of fight for hostages' return.

Haredim fume: Jerusalem train station closed for haredi rally

Israel Railways announces closure of Yitzhak Navon station due to haredi anti-enlistment rally, citing public safety concerns.

Haredi source calls Draft Law proposal 'nonsense'

Senior Agudat Yisrael source slams leaked proposal for Draft Law as 'political fabrication,' warns proposed quotas and sanctions on yeshiva students are 'unrealistic.'

Eased definitions, fewer sanctions

These are the changes in the haredi draft framework

The newly released Draft Law includes a series of major changes: the requirement for a quota of combat soldiers has been abolished, and the definitions for candidates for service have been significantly eased.

Major road closures:

Police brace for huge rally over haredi draft in Jerusalem

Hundreds of thousands are expected at a massive Jerusalem rally protesting haredi draft arrests. Major roads will close and access will be limited to organized buses.

Lapid:

'We’ll pass a law - no draft, no vote'

Yesh Atid chairman launches fierce attack on coalition’s Draft Law proposal: “It’s deception and fraud. This government isn’t interested in drafting haredim - only in collecting funds.”

AG orders Netanyahu to increase enforcement of IDF draft

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara orders Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to increase enforcement activities against haredi yeshiva students, claiming status quo 'severely harms' equality.

Watch: Netzach Yehuda soldiers complete march for their berets

Soldiers from the Netzach Yehuda Battalion complete their beret march, dedicating it to comrades who fell in the recent war.

Following yeshiva students' arrests:

Mass prayer rally planned in Jerusalem

Rabbi Dov Lando, Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, decide to hold mass prayer rally in protest of recent arrests of yeshiva students. 'Public prayer can help.'

Haredi draft dodgers complain about detention conditions

A married yeshiva student from Modi'in Illit who was arrested about a month ago for desertion says there is a spiritual danger in the military prison for draft dodgers.

Two haredi draft dodgers arrested in Ramla

Two haredi brothers from Ramla who did not report for IDF service were arrested. A third draft dodger evaded arrest in Be'er Sheva after refusing to open the door for military police.

IDF considering closing haredi company

IDF considering closure of haredi 'Tomer' company in Givati Brigade, amid low enlistment.

Tragedy at Mir Yeshiva: American student found dead in dormitory

Shlomo Aryeh Rivkov, an American student at the Mir Yeshiva, is found lifeless in the yeshiva's dormitory; police investigating.

Haredim fume:

Military Police arrest yeshiva students at home for draft evasion

Two haredi yeshiva students, studying at prominent yeshivas, are arrested overnight for failing to appear for enlistment.

Starting January: Yeshiva students to lose discounts

Following Supreme Court ruling and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara's instructions, yeshiva students who do not enlist in the IDF will pay full National Insurance Institute premiums starting in January 2026.

Wave of attacks in Ashdod:

Teens on scooters target haredi residents

A Haredi man walking home from synagogue in Ashdod was attacked by two teens on a scooter, part of a series of assaults that locals say continue as few victims file complaints.

Draft Law likely to pass in November

MK Boaz Bismuth submits proposal for Draft Law to legal adviser; proposal includes personal sanctions but without controversial additions.

Liberman's latest interview sparks outrage among haredi leaders

Yisrael Beytenu Chairman Avigdor Liberman unveils election strategy this week, taking sharp aim at the haredi community and drawing fierce backlash from Rabbi Dov Lando’s office.

Haredi MK proposes: Free mandatory education for infants

Proposed bill aims to bypass Attorney General's sanctions on haredim by making daycare subsidies a nonissue, but would require infants as young as three months to be enrolled in 'educational' institutions which teach a core curriculum.

Haredi Rabbi compares the government to the Inquisition

Rabbi Sternbuch broke into tears during the sermon and called the government's handling of the haredi conscription issue a decree of annihilation.

Beitar Illit Rabbis ban spa advertisements

Beitar Illit Rabbis have prohibited the publication of spa site advertisements in local newspapers due to allegations of impropriety in some such establishments.