Ultra-Orthodox protesters block roads and trains across Israel over military draft

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Middle East Ultra-Orthodox protesters block roads and trains across Israel over military draft June 2, 20263:55 AM ET By The Associated Press Israeli mounted police disperse Ultra-Orthodox Jews blocking a road during a protest against army draft in Jerusalem, Monday, June 1, 2026. Ohad Zwigenberg/AP hide caption toggle caption Ohad Zwigenberg/AP JERUSALEM — Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox demonstrated across Israel on Monday, blocking roads and trains and setting cars on fire to protest mandatory enlistment in Israel's military. Middle East conflict Israel's government is expected to collapse over ultra-Orthodox military draft Israel's police said demonstrators blocked major intersections and attacked a soldier who disembarked from a bus near a protest.

Police struggled to control the crowds with water cannons and horses. The protest largely crippled the country's center, with highways closed and public transportation halted by the massive crowds in both Jerusalem and the Tel Aviv metro area. Military service is compulsory for most Jewish men and women in Israel.

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The politically powerful ultra-Orthodox parties have won exemptions for their followers to forgo military service and instead study in religious seminaries, but those exemptions are under threat. Sponsor Message Many Israelis are tired of the longstanding system that has allowed ultra-Orthodox men to skip military service at a time when the military is stretched to its breaking point and many have served multiple tours of reserve duty. The issue is tearing apart Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition, possibly moving elections up by several weeks this fall after the ultra-Orthodox parties withdrew their support for Netanyahu.

Each year, roughly 13,000 ultra-Orthodox men reach the conscription age of 18, but less than 10% enlist, according to a parliamentary committee. Faced with severe shortages of soldiers, the military is looking to extend the period of mandatory service. Most Jewish men are required to serve nearly three years of military service, followed by years of reserve duty.

Jewish women serve two mandatory years. "This public is determined, they see this as a war for their lives," said Israel Tropper, a demonstrator in Jerusalem. "From their perspective, going into the Israeli army means giving up religion ...

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we don't want to give up our religion, so from our perspective it's a war for our lives. " He added that there is no way to force tens of thousands of people vehemently opposed to the idea to serve in the military. Sponsor Message Some protesters held signs condemning Israel saying "We would rather die as Jews than live as Zionists" and "We refuse to serve an army for the sake of the Zionist religion.

" The ultra-Orthodox, who make up roughly 13% of Israeli society and are the fastest growing sector, have traditionally received exemptions if they are studying full-time in religious seminaries.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.