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An exhibition showcasing political cartoons addressing the exemption of ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service was vandalized on Monday ahead of the opening of the Animix International Animation, Cartoon and Comics Festival in Tel Aviv. The incident occurred as the festival’s organizers were installing the display in the plaza outside the Tel Aviv Cinematheque. The targeted exhibition, titled “The Black Army,” explores the stance of the haredi community, Israel’s ultra-Orthodox population, on mandatory military conscription. It features works by some of the country’s leading cartoonists and is part of the festival’s tradition of using visual art to engage with pressing social and political topics. The vandalism took place just days before the festival officially opened on Tuesday, drawing attention to the controversy surrounding the issue of national service. According to reports, a young man wearing a kippah approached the installation site and confronted the organizers and Tel Aviv Cinematheque CEO Tomer Cohen. He reportedly tore down and damaged portions of the exhibition before attempting to flee. Festival staff and Cohen pursued the individual for approximately an hour, though police did not arrive until after the suspect had escaped in a taxi. Despite the damage, the exhibition reopened as scheduled on Tuesday, running through August 8. Organizers stated that efforts were underway to repair the affected areas, ensuring the display could continue as intended. The incident marks the first such disruption in the festival’s 26-year history, according to Animix artistic director Nissim (Nusko) Hezkiyahu. Hezkiyahu emphasized that the festival has long been committed to addressing contentious societal issues, including the topic of military service. He noted that the act of vandalism reflects a broader challenge to free expression and illustrated the growing tensions around the subject. “This is the first time in the festival's 26-year history that something like this has happened,” he said. “The festival has always addressed social and political issues, and there is no issue more divisive in Israeli society today than military conscription.” “We are sorry that extremists are trying to undermine freedom of expression, but this act will not deter us. On the contrary, it only underscores the importance of the exhibition. It always starts with one extremist who cannot tolerate free expression and illustration, and from there it escalates,” he added. He also expressed disappointment toward those responsible for the vandalism, stating, “We’ve had enough of you.” In response to the incident, several of the cartoonists whose work is featured in the exhibition created new pieces reflecting on the event. These drawings, shared publicly, highlight both the significance of the issue and the impact of the vandalism. One such piece depicts a scene where a haredi man is shown saying, “We should be charging,” suggesting a critique of the community’s position on military service. The festival continues its schedule, inviting attendees to participate in discussions and view the restored exhibition. As the event unfolds, the incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing debate over national service and the role of artistic expression in public discourse.