What’s Driving Israel’s Ultra-Orthodox Revolt Against Army Conscription

Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men rallied in Jerusalem on Thursday, demanding permanent legal exemption from Israel’s mandatory military service.

JUST IN - Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews, dressed in black, rallied in Jerusalem on Thursday to protest against military conscription pic.twitter.com/6xWSyHbeFO

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) October 30, 2025

The protesters called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to uphold his long-promised pledge to protect their right to study full-time in religious seminaries instead of serving in the army.

The massive demonstration comes amid growing tensions within Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition. The Supreme Court ruled in June 2024 that exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men had expired, and lawmakers are now debating a bill that could end them.

Thousands gather to protest haredi conscription law. Jerusalem's Yitzchak Navon train station closes Thursday as tens of thousands of haredim rally against proposed military conscription legislation. The "Million Man Rally," organized by UTJ and Shas parties, runs from 2:30-4:30… pic.twitter.com/GcANAhUg6P

— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) October 30, 2025

Two ultra-Orthodox parties—vital to Netanyahu’s majority—have threatened to withdraw support unless a new law secures the waiver, potentially toppling the government.

Israel’s military has been struggling to fill ranks amid the ongoing Gaza war, while opposition to the exemptions is intensifying. Ultra-Orthodox Jews comprise about 14% of Israel’s Jewish population, with roughly 66,000 men currently exempt from service.

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