Join our Community
Support ToI and remove all ads
Learn more
×

ultra-Orthodox

Ultra-Orthodox protesters demonstrate against Cafe Basimta operating on Shabbat and clash with police, while secular protesters hold a counter-demonstration in support of the cafe in central Jerusalem, August 15, 2026. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)
September 2, 2026, 6:15 pm
As weekly Haredi protests take a toll, Jerusalem cafe says it may close on Saturdays
Spokesperson for Cafe Basimta says business will make decision in coming days as some fear ultra-Orthodox rallies hounding the coffeehouse may escalate out of control
By Zev Stub
Ultra-Orthodox Jews protest the army draft outside Tel HaShomer army base in Ramat Gan, August 31, 2026. (Avshalom Sassoni/FLASH90)
August 31, 2026, 3:08 pm
Haredi anti-draft protesters block roads at IDF induction center for second day
Protests come as IDF prepares to receive hundreds of ultra-Orthodox recruits; several demonstrators hold signs saying ‘it was better to die as a Jew in the Holocaust than to spiritually die in IDF camps’
By ToI Staff
Israeli reserve soldiers seen during military training in the Golan Heights, northern Israel, October 30, 2023. (David Cohen/ Flash90)
August 25, 2026, 9:59 pm
Wartime reserve duty taking heavier toll on economy than expected, Treasury warns
Month of reserve duty costs the state an average NIS 53,000 per soldier and falls mainly on non-Haredi Jewish men aged 25-44, who tend to earn more and have children, report shows
By Sharon Wrobel
Shas party chief Aryeh Deri (left) and Yashar head Gadi Eisenkot seen at the funeral of Lt. Col. Roee Yohay Yosef Mordechay at Kiryat Shaul Military Cemetery, on January 7, 2024. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
August 21, 2026, 2:59 pm
Eisenkot threatens to siphon traditional voters away from a panicking Shas
Fearing a mass voter exodus over the draft crisis, Aryeh Deri staged a show of unity with Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef to save his party from a humiliating collapse
By Shalom Yerushalmi
Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, during a weekly teaching at the Yazdim synagogue in Jerusalem, on June 7, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/FLASH90)
August 12, 2026, 10:25 am
Former chief rabbi Yitzhak Yosef reportedly orders students not to vote for Shas
Religious leader, who sits on the party’s rabbinic council, said to privately call for toppling right-wing coalition, saying Netanyahu and allies ‘hate us, but the left respects us’; he denies the story
By ToI Staff
MK Yuli Edelstein (left) speaks during a conference at the Reichman University in Herzliya, on January 13, 2026. (Tal Gal/Flash90); former Likud MK Gilad Erdan takes part in a ceremony for a bulletproof ambulance donated by the Harvest Christian Fellowship to Magen David Adom, at the Tower of David, in the Old City of Jerusalem, June 1, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
August 5, 2026, 10:50 pm
Ex-Likud ministers Erdan, Edelstein to launch new right-wing party on Thursday
As-yet unnamed party will push for ultra-Orthodox conscription; is the latest to attempt to offer a right-wing alternative to Netanyahu’s ruling Likud
By Sam Sokol
Finance Committee chair MK Hanoch Milwidsky, right, speaks with MKs Moshe Gafni, center, and Yitzhak Pindrus during a Knesset Finance Committee meeting in Jerusalem, August 4, 2026, at which additional funding was approved for Haredi education. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
August 4, 2026, 5:30 pm
Coalition secures extra $82.6m for ultra-Orthodox education; opposition alleges ‘theft’
Finance Committee later gives Settlements Ministry nearly $100m in funding and commitment authoritizations, after heated debate during Knesset recess
By Sam Sokol
Screen capture from video of an ultra-Orthodox social media influencer speaking about preparations for the Tisha B'av fast. Bottom line of text reads 'in cooperation with the Haredi Authority in the Prime Minister's Office'. (Yael Zien)
July 22, 2026, 9:05 am
Prime Minister’s Office funding ultra-Orthodox influencers’ recipe videos – report
Video clips on what to eat ahead of Tisha B’Av fast carry caption showing they were made ‘in cooperation with the Haredi Authority in the Prime Minister’s Office’
By ToI Staff
The leader of the Gur Hasidic dynasty joins thousands of ultra-Orthodox men at a protest outside an IDF Military Prison near Kfar Yona, central Israel, July 20, 2026. (Tal Gal/Flash90)
July 21, 2026, 3:29 am
25,000 Haredim protest at military prison over arrest of draft dodger; demo at AG’s home
In rare move, leader of Gur Hasidic dynasty attends rally at Beit Lid alongside UTJ party chief Yitzhak Goldknopf, who appeals for calm after breach of fence surrounding IDF base
By ToI Staff
Illustrative: An ultra-Orthodox jewish man uses a laptop. (Nati Shohat/FLASH90)
July 18, 2026, 9:56 pm
Authorities said enlisting rabbis, influencers to warn Haredim against spying for Iran
NY Times reports on Israeli efforts to stop citizens’ cooperation with Iranian intelligence; 9 community members are among dozens who have been charged with espionage so far
By ToI Staff
Ultra-Orthodox protesters demonstrate against a cafe operating on Shabbat in central Jerusalem, July 18, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 18, 2026, 6:21 pm
‘Stop destroying Jerusalem’: Haredim target cafe open on Shabbat for 3rd week in a row
Police erect barriers to prevent friction outside city center’s Cafe Basimta, a recently opened business that has drawn the ire of ultra-Orthodox demonstrators
By ToI Staff
Ultra-Orthodox residents surround and attack a car presumably carrying Israel Tax Authority employees in Bnei Brak, July 16, 2026. (X video/used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
July 17, 2026, 7:45 pm
Tax Authority freezes war compensation claims in Bnei Brak after attacks on staff
Footage shows Haredi residents throwing objects at car apparently carrying officials; tax chief demands public apology from municipality before work resumes on damage
By ToI Staff
MK Yitzhak Goldknopf, center, alongside Likud's Justice Minister Yariv Levin, left, and Defense Minister Israel Katz, right, during a Knesset vote on a bill to freeze arrests of Haredi draft evaders in Jerusalem, July 14, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
July 16, 2026, 4:50 pm
Pyrrhic victory on law banning arrests of draft dodgers could cost Netanyahu coalition at ballot box
Likud and its allies went to mat for an unpopular law meant to shield ultra-Orthodox from military conscription, losing vital support in the name of legislation that is already on its way to being struck down
By Tal Schneider
People walk along a street in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak in central Israel, March 2, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
July 14, 2026, 10:01 am
Bnei Brak set to implement gender segregation on two main streets
Following ruling by rabbis, city will put up signs and barriers segregating sidewalks, despite Supreme Court ban on practice in 2017
By Michael Horovitz
Illustrative. The Tel Aviv University campus. May 15, 2025. (Yossi Aloni/ Flash90/ File)
July 13, 2026, 11:15 pm
Deans of all Israeli med schools warn against bill expanding gender segregation in higher ed
Heads of all 9 institutions pen letter urging MKs to reject bill, set to become law this week; say it could jeopardize international recognition, degrade Israel’s medical capabilities
By Zev Stub and ToI Staff
Load More

Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community

Sign in or Register

Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By joining you agree to the terms and conditions
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Sign in or Register
Only ToI Community members can comment below articles
Forgot your password? / Send me a login link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.
Back to top
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering allows you to manage your newsletters and alerts and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
I forgot my password / Send me a sign in link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.