JERUSALEM (AP) — Hundreds of Jewish ultra-Orthodox males clashed with Israeli police in central Jerusalem on Sunday throughout a protest in opposition to a Supreme Court docket order for them to start enlisting for navy service.
The landmark choice final week ordering the federal government to start drafting ultra-Orthodox males may result in the collapse of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition as Israel wages struggle in Gaza.
Tens of 1000’s of males rallied in an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood to protest the order. However after dusk, the group made its method towards central Jerusalem and turned violent.
Israeli police stated protesters threw rocks and attacked the automotive of an ultra-Orthodox Cupboard minister, pelting it with stones. Water cannons crammed with skunk-scented water and police mounted on horses had been used to disperse the group. However the demonstration was nonetheless not underneath management late Sunday.
Ilia Yefimovich/image alliance through Getty Photos
Navy service is obligatory for many Jewish women and men in Israel. However politically highly effective ultra-Orthodox events have gained exemptions for his or her followers to skip navy service and as a substitute examine in non secular seminaries.
The long-standing association has bred resentment among the many broader public, a sentiment that has grown stronger throughout the eight-month struggle in opposition to Hamas. Over 600 troopers have been killed in preventing, and tens of 1000’s of reservists have been activated, upending careers, companies and lives.
Extremely-Orthodox events and their followers say forcing their males to serve within the military will destroy their generations-old lifestyle. Earlier Sunday, 1000’s of males crowded a sq. and joined in mass prayers. Many held indicators criticizing the federal government, with one saying “not even one male” ought to be drafted.
The ultra-Orthodox events are key members of Netanyahu’s governing coalition and will doubtlessly drive new elections in the event that they determine to go away the federal government in protest.
Occasion leaders haven’t stated whether or not they may depart the federal government. Doing so might be dangerous, with Netanyahu’s coalition’s recognition lagging because the Oct. 7 Hamas assault that sparked the struggle.
