Mass protest by ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel over army conscription

No Comment Video. Mass protest by ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel over army conscription Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 18/06/2026 - 10:36 GMT+2 Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews protest near Netanya against mandatory army service, demanding release of draft refusers amid Israel’s wartime strains. Israel witnessed a large demonstration on 17 June as thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews gathered outside Prison 10 at the Beit Lid military base near Netanya. Protesters opposed mandatory military enlistment and demanded the release of men detained for refusing to serve. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The rally comes as Israel faces growing military demands across several fronts, making the question of conscription increasingly significant for the government, the armed forces and the wider public. Security forces deployed near the prison, including a water cannon vehicle, while demonstrators crowded the entrance of the detention facility. The dispute centres on long-standing exemptions granted to full-time religious students, a policy dating back to the creation of Israel in 1948. According to a parliamentary committee, around 13,000 ultra-Orthodox men reach conscription age each year, yet fewer than 10% enlist. The issue has become politically sensitive as Israel maintains military operations in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria while also confronting tensions with Iran. The Supreme Court ruled in 2017 that the exemptions were unlawful, but successive governments have kept them in place. The debate has intensified pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition after ultra-Orthodox parties withdrew their support in recent weeks. Israel draft law Judaism Benjamin Netanyahu Israeli politics military service Top stories Now playing Next Mass protest by ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel over army conscription Now playing Next Watch: Moment Trump signs US-Iran agreement at Versailles Now playing Next UK: Tommy Robinson’s Oxford Union debate sparks protests and free speech backlash Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | June 18th, 2026 – Morning Now playing Next Here are all the World Cup matches you may have missed on Wednesday Now playing Next Moment Trump signs US-Iran deal at Palace of Versailles Now playing Next Trump signs initial deal to end war in Iran and open Strait of Hormuz Now playing Next Air passengers to enjoy free cabin bags as decade-long EU talks end Now playing Next Russia says yacht on 'dangerous approach' in Channel prompted shots Now playing Next EU Parliament approves 'strictest-ever' migration law Now playing Next Which European countries have the cleanest swimming water? Now playing Next Bus with Belarus children hit by a drone in Russia, Moscow claims Now playing Next Hegseth says Europe must take the lead on building 'NATO 3.0' Now playing Next Watch: Behind closed doors—Ukraine, taxes, and trade at this week's European Council Summit Now playing Next Europe Today: NATO, Ukraine and the battle over Europe's future budget Now playing Next 50-year tax incentives and new financial centre unveiled at Tashkent forum ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Trump welcomed to Versailles for dinner with Macron No Comment Netherlands hosts Japan’s emperor Naruhito to boost 400-year ties No Comment Israeli settlers torch mosque in West Bank village of Jiljilya No Comment Trump jokes ‘I’m the boss’ as he arrives for G7 meeting Culture Series Hidden figures: Stephan Gladieu on photographing the people of North Korea Europe News AI dominates conversations at VivaTech Europe News WFP welcomes €695m donation from US as it warns acute hunger to worsen in 13 hotspots The Ring How can Europe compete with the US and China economically? MEPs debate on The Ring Europe News Germany and Poland sign new defence deal as balance of power in Europe shifts Lebanon Israel continues strikes on Lebanon ahead of anticipated US-Iran framework deal Europe News Bus with Belarus children's football team hit by a drone in Russia, Moscow claims 12 minutes with UK minister ‘very confident’ of getting triple EU reset deal done at July summit ADVERTISEMENT Iran Read the full text of the leaked 14-point US-Iran draft agreement Culture news Paris just opened a floating bookshop under Notre-Dame - and it has DJ sets Qatar in Motion Root to Rise: Preserving Qatar’s Cultural Heritage Focus World Environment Day summit demands accelerated global action on climate crisis The Cube An influencer, a PR specialist and a bishop: Who are the latest EU-sanctioned disinformation actors? Europe News EU Parliament approves 'strictest-ever' migration law USA Messi hat-trick fuels Argentina's World Cup title hopes Vietnam Hundreds of cats rescued from being eaten in Vietnam ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT