Haredi politicians pledge to keep protesting until arrests of draft dodgers are halted

By Sam Sokol 24 June 2026, 5:10 pm

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Sam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"

Setting out in protest convoys to the Neve Tzedek (Beit Lid) military prison in Kfar Yona, Haredi leaders pledge to continue protesting until the government halts all enforcement action against yeshiva students who evade the IDF draft.

“We are fulfilling the commandment of the great men of Israel from all communities and factions to protest the fact that in the Land of Israel, yeshiva students are being arrested when their only sin is studying Torah,” says United Torah Judaism chair Yitzhak Goldknopf, in a video filmed in his car as it leaves Jerusalem. “We will continue the protests until the arrests stop completely.”

Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Tzachi Brim, one of the organizers of the protest, says that the Haredim “will not remain silent” when yeshiva students are arrested. “We have chosen a quiet and nonviolent protest, but with absolute determination: there is no path without the path of the Torah. Enough is enough!”

Bnei Brak Mayor Hanoch Zeibert tells reporters that “anyone who is in pain goes out to the street to show that they are hurting.” Asked if he supported conscripting those not enrolled full-time in yeshiva, he replied: “First, exempt those who study, and then ask me questions about those who don’t study.”

The protest has sparked anger among non-ultra-Orthodox Israelis, with video footage shared online showing a secular motorist tearing protest signs off a car and throwing them at the driver while yelling at him to enlist.