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religion and state in Israel

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
Windows of the Herzliya Pasta Basta branch shown smashed on July 31, 2026. (Herzliya Mayor Yaron Fisher/Facebook)
July 31, 2026, 8:40 pm
Windows of Herzliya pasta franchise smashed, allegedly because it opens on Shabbat
City’s mayor decries ‘serious criminal act,’ backs business, vows to support shopping complex and ensure largely secular city remains ‘beacon of liberalism’
By Michael Horovitz
Haredi protesters pray and make noise outside Cafe Basimta, in Jerusalem, July 4, 2026. (X screenshot)
July 4, 2026, 11:52 pm
Ultra-Orthodox protesters disrupt Jerusalem cafe for opening on Shabbat
Haredi protesters, many of them minors, bang on windows, make noise at cafe located in city center; secular residents flock from across the city to support business after incident
By ToI Staff
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir speaks at the graduation ceremony of an IDF officers’ course in southern Israel, June 25, 2026. (Flash90)
July 2, 2026, 8:48 pm
After Basic Law exalting Torah study advances, IDF chief says soldiers must be prioritized
Day after bill to shield Haredi draft evaders passes 1st reading, senior military officer warns Knesset of military’s personnel shortage, urges extension of mandatory service
By Emanuel Fabian
A police car is seen on its side after a riot to protest against the jailing of a Jewish seminary student who failed to comply with an army recruitment order, in Jerusalem on December 18, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
May 17, 2026, 8:57 am
Haredi extremists brag openly of campaign to obstruct cops, but evade consequences
In carefully worded emails, Jerusalem Faction organizers boast of mobilizing protests to block enforcement against draft dodgers, sometimes violently, while hiding behind laws protecting free speech
By Sam Sokol
Police officers at the scene where Haredi extremists protesting the arrest of a draft evader broke into the backyard of the house of Military Police chief Brig. Gen. Yuval Yamin in Ashkelon, April 28, 2026. (Israel Police)
April 28, 2026, 10:18 pm
Haredi anti-draft rioters break into Military Police chief’s home with family inside; 25 arrested
Netanyahu condemns extremists’ action, as do defense minister and chief of staff, who says it ‘crosses a dangerous red line’; Jerusalem Faction: ‘Leave the Torah students alone’
By Sam Sokol and Emanuel Fabian
Former prime minister Naftali Bennett attends the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in Jerusalem, on February 17, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90)
April 25, 2026, 4:09 pm
Backing public transit on Shabbat, Bennett steers campaign into jammed center lane
No longer constrained by right-wing niche, former PM seeks broader appeal — but he may end up only drawing votes away from his potential coalition partners
By Sam Sokol
Police clash with Israelis during a protest against the current Israeli government and the ongoing war with Iran, at Habima Square in Tel Aviv, April 4, 2026. (Flash90)
April 5, 2026, 2:22 am
Cops violently disperse protesters at Tel Aviv anti-war rally, after court raised attendance cap
Detained activists say police stopped them from reaching shelter amid missile attack; chief rabbi declares court ‘enemy of Judaism’ after permissive ruling is issued on Shabbat
By Charlie Summers and Sam Sokol
Shas chairman Aryeh Deri attends a vote on the 2026 state budget in the Knesset, March 29, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
March 30, 2026, 7:14 pm
Opposition MKs voted to allocate NIS 800 million for Haredi schools. How did that happen?
Caught by a parliamentary ‘maneuver,’ lawmakers mistakenly supported a surprise reservation to the 2026 state budget massively boosting ultra-Orthodox education funds, sparking a harsh backlash
By Sam Sokol and Ariela Karmel
Activists protest against a bill that would give more authority to the rabbinical courts outside the Rabbinical Court of Tel Aviv, December 11, 2024. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
March 24, 2026, 3:26 am
New law lets rabbinical courts arbitrate civil disputes; opposition head says Israel now a theocracy
Yair Lapid warns that the controversial government-backed legislation, which significantly expands religious courts’ authority, means country governed by Jewish law
By Sam Sokol
Conservative/Masorti Movement leaders praying at the egalitarian plaza at the Western Wall in October 2025. (Courtesy MERCAZ Olami)
March 16, 2026, 5:17 pm
Knesset committee advances bill expanding Orthodox control over Western Wall Plaza
Controversial legislation referred to Knesset Constitution Committee; Women of the Wall say Israel ‘spitting’ in the face of Diaspora Jewry
By Sam Sokol
Conservative rabbis pray at the Ezrat Yisrael egalitarian prayer space at the Western Wall, December 12, 2024. (Courtesy/ File)
February 25, 2026, 4:28 pm
MKs approve preliminary bill cementing Orthodox control over entire Western Wall
Haredim praise bill giving Chief Rabbinate authority over prayer at Old City site, calling it victory over Reform Movement; progressives say Israel turning back on non-Orthodox, Diaspora
By Sam Sokol
Conservative rabbis pray at the Ezrat Yisrael egalitarian prayer space at the Western Wall, December 12, 2024. (Courtesy/ File)
February 22, 2026, 8:01 pm
Netanyahu nixes ministerial vote on bill cementing Orthodox control of Western Wall
Justice minister calls on MKs to vote in favor, coalition whip receives PM’s permission to give MKs freedom to vote freely on the controversial legislation
By Sam Sokol and Ariela Karmel
Ultra-Orthodox children in their classroom at a Heder in Jerusalem, August 25, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
February 19, 2026, 1:08 am
State budget set to increase spending on Haredi education by NIS 1 billion
Ultra-Orthodox school networks associated with Shas and UTJ parties to receive hundreds of millions of taxpayer shekels despite not properly teaching core curriculum
By Sam Sokol
Rabbi Dov Lando in Bnei Brak, August 21, 2025. (Sam Sokol/Times of Israel)
January 5, 2026, 12:56 pm
Senior ultra-Orthodox rabbi: Those enforcing Haredi draft are fighting against God
Degel HaTorah spiritual leader Rabbi Dov Lando celebrates release of draft dodgers from military prison, claims Haredim are ‘in exile among Jews’
By Sam Sokol
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