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

Israeli police arrested 12 ultras-Orthodox Jews (Haredim) yesterday during a protest in front of a military base against being drafted to serve in the armed forces, Anadolu has reported. Hundreds of Haredim took part in the protest near the Michve Alon training base.

“The police have been working since the early hours in a number of centres in the northern region in light of an illegal demonstration during which hundreds of demonstrators arrived, blocked roads and set fires near the fences of an army base,” said the police. “The demonstrators confronted the police and blocked roads using violence.”

A police warning that their protest was illegal was ignored by the protesters. “Despite the warnings, the violence continued,” added the police. “Twelve people were arrested on suspicion of violating public order, and violations continue as police work to remove demonstrators from the base.”

For months, the Israeli army has been suffering from a shortage of personnel, given its ongoing war on the Gaza Strip since last October, its intensive operations in the occupied West Bank, and tension on the border with Lebanon. In July, the army started to conscript Haredim but, according to Israeli media, the uptake is very low.

The Haredim constitute about 13 per cent of Israel’s population of around 10 million people, and do not serve in the army. They say that they devote their lives to studying the Torah in religious institutes, and they believe that integration into the secular world threatens their religious identity and the continuity of their society.

The Israeli Supreme Court agreed in June to make conscription compulsory for Haredim, and to block financial aid for religious institutions whose students refuse military service. Senior ultra-Orthodox rabbis continue to oppose service in the armed forces.

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