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ultra-Orthodox draft

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (center, with back to camera) campaigns in the northern city of Haifa ahead of the upcoming election, October 14, 2026. (Sharon Leibel/Flash90)
David Horovitz
Op-ed: 6 days to election
David Horovitz
For Israel’s sake, Netanyahu has to go
He failed us on October 7, and every day since by refusing to answer for it. He clung to power, and now promises the same shameful coalition, with the same divisive and dangerous policies
Construction in the southern Israeli city of Sderot, July 28, 2025. (Yossi Aloni/FLASH90)
Israel to offer 20,000 discounted homes to IDF reservists in coming years
By Zev Stub
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men clash with police officers and soldiers as they block a road during a protest against the jailing of yeshiva students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order, at the Yavne Interchange on Route 4, October 18, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
October 22, 2026, 11:06 am
AG: Over 67,000 Haredi men are dodging draft, High Court must weigh more sanctions
In update to court, Baharav-Miara says Haredi draft is up year over year, but still far below IDF enlistment targets; blames ‘absence of a coherent government policy’ on issue
By Jeremy Sharon
Footage posted to social media shows Haredi passengers dancing at Ben Gurion International Airport, where 42 ultra-Orthodox men were arrested in a Military Police operation upon their return to Israel from the United States, October 20, 2026. (Screenshot/Social media: used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law via Channel 12);
October 20, 2026, 6:15 pm
Netanyahu comes out against arrest of Haredi draft dodgers as 42 detained at airport
Arrests are ‘deliberate attempt to harm the process of drafting Haredim without coercion,’ PM claims; 40 of detainees freed after pledging to enlist; ultra-Orthodox MKs decry ‘political intereference’; opposition leaders slam premier
By ToI Staff, Emanuel Fabian and Ariela Karmel
A stun grenade appears to explode next to ultra-Orthodox demonstrators during clashes with police officers and civilians as they blocked Route 4 during a protest against the jailing of yeshiva students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order, at the Yavne Interchange, October 18, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
October 18, 2026, 3:22 pm
Ultra-Orthodox block main highway in rush hour protest over draft dodgers’ arrest
Demonstrators choke off Route 4 for two hours during peak traffic, scuffle with drivers, until police use stun grenades, force to clear them away; no injuries or arrests reported
By Noam Lehmann
United Torah Judaism election candidate Eliakim Stark speaks at an election event in Beit Shemesh, October 15, 2026. (Screenshot/X/Avi Moskoff)
October 16, 2026, 12:39 pm
Outrage as UTJ candidate likens situation of ultra-Orthodox in Israel to Jews in Holocaust
Stark says draft-dodging men can’t travel for marriage matches: ‘Reminds me of our grandparents’ stories’; Pindrus, Deri regret backing Ohana, a gay MK, as Knesset speaker: ‘Desecration of God’s name’
By Michael Bachner and ToI Staff
Protesters including former hostages and families of hostages demanding a state commission of inquiry march to Tel Aviv's Hostages Square during events marking the 1,000th day since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, massacre, July 2, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
October 15, 2026, 4:55 pm
Poll: Jewish Israelis want Oct. 7 commission of inquiry, ultra-Orthodox conscription
Israel Democracy Institute survey finds 71% want top-level probe of Hamas invasion, 72% favor egalitarian draft law; more Israelis view UK as hostile than they do Saudi Arabia
By Stuart Winer and ToI Staff
Police face off against ultra-Orthodox protesters outside an office building housing an IDF program in Bnei Brak, October 14, 2026. (Israel Police)
October 15, 2026, 11:20 am
2 arrested in Bnei Brak amid rioting at building housing ultra-Orthodox IDF program
Protesters storm office building where Kodcode cyber training unit for Haredi servicemembers is located; no injuries reported
By Noam Lehmann
Shas chairman Aryeh Deri attends a vote in the Knesset in Jerusalem on July 16, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
October 14, 2026, 9:46 pm
Deri says Shas, like UTJ, won’t join next government without a draft exemption law
Haredi leader’s comments draw rebukes from Bennett and Liberman, who warn voting for such a govenrment would lead to greater burden on IDF reservists
By Ariela Karmel
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the and Religious Zionism party chairman, tours the Mahane Yehuda Market as part of the party’s election campaign in Jerusalem, October 9, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
October 13, 2026, 6:38 pm
Smotrich: ‘Complete lie’ that IDF troops are burdened because of Haredi exemption
Far-right minister contradicts IDF assessments, claims some 50,000 reservists are willing to return to fight; Haredi youths tear down election signs for new ultra-Orthodox party
By Ariela Karmel
Ultra-Orthodox men block Bar-Ilan Street and clash with police during a protest against the jailing of yeshiva students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order, in Jerusalem, October 8, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
October 9, 2026, 5:25 pm
Report: Netanyahu asked Haredi parties to cancel Thursday’s anti-draft protests, fearing optics
TV report says ultra-Orthodox politicians clarified to PM that demonstrations, which saw three arrested amid clashes with polices, were called by extremist Jerusalem Faction
By ToI Staff
Ultra-Orthodox rioters gather to prevent the arrest of a military draft dodger in Modiin, October 6, 2026. (X screenshot/Josh Breiner)
October 6, 2026, 11:44 am
Hundreds of Haredi protesters clash with police, thwart arrest of draft dodger in Modiin
Military Police leave without suspect after clashes; IDF says rioters acted in organized manner and endangered soldiers; Bennett, Liberman condemn incident
By ToI Staff and Emanuel Fabian
Ultra-Orthodox Jews take part in a procession celebrating draft dodgers following their release from military prison, in Jerusalem on September 29, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
September 30, 2026, 1:18 am
Thousands march in Jerusalem to fete Haredi draft dodgers; cash grants promised
Marchers carry signs calling the IDF an ‘enemy army’ and denouncing ‘the altar of Zionism,’ drawing condemnations from opposition leaders amid political battle over conscription
By ToI Staff
United Torah Judaism chairman Yitzhak Goldknopf and MKs Ya'akov Tessler and Meir Porush arrive for a court hearing on a petition against the kosher cellphone reform, at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, July 28, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
September 29, 2026, 5:36 am
Angry with PM, Haredi MKs said planning to allow formation of Eisenkot-led government
Pair of UTJ lawmakers reportedly planning to abstain if vote held to swear in minority government led by Yashar head, amid anger at Netanyahu’s failure to pass draft-dodging law
By Ariela Karmel and ToI Staff
Screen captures from video of a homecoming event in Bnei Brak from ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers who were released from military prison, September 27, 2026. (Daniel Grovais via X)
September 28, 2026, 5:30 pm
Homecoming procession held in Bnei Brak for 160 draft dodgers released from prison
News crews say they were attacked by participants, forced to leave the area; organizer ‘Color Black,’ a new political party, has made army exemptions for ultra-Orthodox its central aim
By ToI Staff
Ultra-Orthodox Jews clash with police during a protest against the drafting of ultra-Orthodox Jews to the Israeli army, on Road 4 near Bnei Brak, August 8, 2026. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
September 26, 2026, 2:43 am
‘Deterred’ by protests, IDF said to halt proactive arrests of Haredi draft dodgers
Police sources tell newspaper that arrest operations were suspended at the initiative of the military, which maintains that it’s continuing to seek detention of draft evaders
By ToI Staff
Soldiers from the ultra-Orthodox Netzah Yehuda Battalion seen before a swearing in ceremony at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, June 11, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
September 22, 2026, 11:39 am
Making room for Haredim, army struggles to not impinge on others’ space
The IDF has introduced sweeping accommodations for ultra-Orthodox troops, but tensions are highlighted by disputes over women and religious standards; experts say building trust remains key
By Stav Levaton
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