Haredi extremists protest outside IDF’s Jerusalem recruitment office

Over a hundred extremist ultra-Orthodox men are protesting near the IDF’s Jerusalem recruitment office, where Haredi draftees who received summonses are required to come today.

So far in other locations, only a small minority of the community members who received a call-up actually reported to the offices, amid staunch opposition to military enlistment by most ultra-Orthodox leaders who fear the army service will secularize them.

Helping to deter would-be-recruits are regular protests by hardline factions near IDF offices and intimidation toward those who do show up.

This morning, the demonstrators are shouting “We will die and not enlist,” Nazis” and “To prison and not to the army.” Some are rioting and trying to breach police roadblocks.

Police arrive with a water cannon and mounted officers, attempting to keep the protest under control.

סוער על הבוקר בירושלים. המשטרה ניסתה לחסום צעירים מלהגיע ללשכת הגיוס, אך הם פרצו את המחסומים. pic.twitter.com/jCe837vVNU

— Merav Sever (@meravseve) August 21, 2024