Jerusalem Comes to a Standstill as 200,000 Haredim Protest Military Draft

Darwin, 31 October-

Jerusalem ground to a halt on Thursday as nearly 200,000 ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jews poured into the streets to protest Israel’s mandatory military draft. The massive rally, dubbed the “Million Man Protest,” quickly descended into chaos, leaving one person dead and several others injured, according to The Times of Israel.

The protest, one of the largest in years, was organized to denounce the government’s recent crackdown on Haredi youth avoiding military service. Israeli police, however, denied any involvement in the death of 20-year-old Menachem Mendel Litzman, who reportedly fell from a construction site in downtown Jerusalem. Authorities are investigating the incident as a possible suicide.

Following the tragedy, organizers called for an immediate end to the rally, urging demonstrators to leave peacefully.

Background: Growing Tensions Over the Draft

The unrest stems from the expiration of a long-standing exemption law in June 2023 that had allowed Haredi men to avoid mandatory military service. Israel’s Supreme Court later ruled that the government must begin conscripting ultra-Orthodox men, sparking fierce opposition from religious groups.

The Israeli military has argued that, amid the ongoing security crisis and recent conflicts, it urgently needs an additional 12,000 soldiers. To date, around 870 Haredi men have reportedly been arrested in draft-related enforcement actions, fueling widespread anger in the ultra-Orthodox community.

Violence and Media Attacks

Local media reported that some young protesters turned violent, attacking police officers, harassing passersby, and throwing bottles at female journalists. One journalist, Inbar Twizer of Channel 12, was assaulted during a live broadcast and later continued reporting under police protection.

The Israeli Journalists’ Association has launched an investigation into the incidents and called on affected journalists to come forward for assistance.

Citywide Disruption

The scale of the protest brought central Jerusalem to a virtual standstill. Major roads into the city were closed, and the main train station was temporarily shut down. One police officer was injured after being struck by a bus carrying protesters. Police said the incident is under investigation.

Divided Within the Community

Not all within the ultra-Orthodox community share the hardline stance. Hours before the protest, members of the Israeli Defense Forces’ newly formed Haredi Brigade attended their graduation ceremony in Jerusalem. The brigade allows religious soldiers to maintain strict observance—permitting daily Torah study, prayer times, and limited phone use while serving.

One protester told local reporters, “This isn’t just about the draft — it’s about destroying our religious way of life. We will not send our sons to the army.”

As tensions continue to rise, the Israeli government faces mounting pressure to find a political solution — one that balances national defense needs with the religious freedoms of the ultra-Orthodox population.