In June, Israel’s Supreme Court mandated the conscription of Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jews into the army. The group has previously been exempted from military service in order to pursue religious studies – something that has been a contentious issue for decades.
A large crowd of Haredi men protested the change in conscription on Wednesday and clashed with Israeli police near one of the military’s recruitment offices in West Jerusalem.
Blocked roads at recruitment offices
Israeli police declared the demonstration “illegal” as some of the participants rioted, blocking nearby roads and throwing objects at police. Among other things, water cannons were used to disperse the crowd.
The Israeli military has for months faced staff shortages amid its ongoing war in Gaza, military raids in the West Bank and cross-border clashes with the Lebanese group Hezbollah.
So far, not many Haredi Jews under the conscription requirement have reported to the recruitment offices, according to The Times of Israel. The group makes up about 13 percent of Israel’s population of about 9.5 million.