Violent clashes erupted in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, just east of Tel Aviv, as thousands of protesters flooded the streets to oppose proposed conscription laws, leading to attacks on female IDF soldiers and police officers. Video footage captured the chaotic scene, showing two female IDF soldiers being hurriedly escorted away by police while crowds of men chased them through the city streets.
Authorities reported that 26 individuals, including the soldiers and responding officers, were directly caught in the initial surge of the mob during the riots. The unrest highlights deepening divisions over mandatory military service, with protesters from the ultra-Orthodox community vehemently resisting enlistment.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu swiftly condemned the violence, labeling the rioters an “extreme minority.” In a post on X, he stated: “I strongly condemn the violent riots in Bnei Brak against female IDF soldiers and Israel police officers. This is an extreme minority that does not represent the entire haredi community. This is a grave and unacceptable matter.”
The protests in Bnei Brak stem from ongoing tensions surrounding legislation that could compel members of the ultra-Orthodox community to serve in the Israeli military. Residents of the city have organized repeated demonstrations against the proposed changes, viewing full-time religious study as their paramount duty.
Many in Bnei Brak insist that mandatory enlistment conflicts with their religious obligations, fueling widespread opposition to the conscription plans. The latest clashes underscore the intensity of these objections, as protesters took to the streets in large numbers to voice their dissent.
While Netanyahu emphasized that the rioters do not speak for the broader haredi community, the incident has drawn attention to the broader debate over military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews, a contentious issue in Israeli society.
