Avigdor Liberman joins supporters as haredi protesters target Jerusalem café for fifth week

Off-duty soldiers and Border Police officers were attacked by a group of approximately 50 ultra-Orthodox men in Jerusalem on Thursday evening, according to local media reports. The incident occurred near a public gathering commemorating the release of 63 individuals who had previously participated in an attack on the home of Deputy Supreme Court Chief Justice Noam Sohlberg. These men were among those arrested during a protest aimed at opposing the arrest of other Haredi draft dodgers. The assault took place as the group of ultra-Orthodox men, known as Haredim, marched through the city following a rally in Beit Shemesh. The demonstration, organized to honor the so-called “Sohlberg 63,” included participants wearing traditional Shabbat attire such as robes and fur hats. Some attendees displayed signs reading “We will never serve in the enemy army,” according to Israeli news outlet Ynet. As the march proceeded toward Jerusalem, the group encountered off-duty soldiers from the Netzah Yehuda battalion, who were walking nearby. Footage captured the confrontation, showing the demonstrators chasing the soldiers and hurling bottles and other objects at them. The soldiers managed to escape unharmed, though there were no official reports of injuries or arrests. At the same time, Border Police officers stationed at the scene were also targeted, with some demonstrators shouting derogatory terms at them, including “Nazis.” The video footage, shared widely on social media, depicted a tense standoff between the protesters and the security personnel. The incident reflects the broader tensions surrounding mandatory military service in Israel, particularly regarding the status of Haredi men. Approximately 72,000 ultra-Orthodox men aged 18 to 24 remain eligible for conscription but have not enlisted, despite growing pressure from the government to increase troop numbers due to ongoing conflicts. Since the Hamas attack in October 2023, the Israeli Defense Forces have faced severe manpower shortages, prompting renewed calls for compulsory service among all religious groups. In response to these pressures, Haredi leaders have advocated for maintaining existing exemptions from the draft, arguing that Torah study should be considered a fundamental component of Jewish identity. This stance gained momentum after the High Court of Justice ruled in 2024 that the government must draft ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students into the military unless a legal framework allows for continued exemptions. Following a protracted political struggle, the Knesset passed two controversial laws in early July. One established Torah study as a foundational value of the state, potentially limiting the court’s ability to challenge Haredi draft exemptions. Another law granted temporary immunity from arrest to tens of thousands of Haredi draft evaders until late 2027, effectively shielding them from legal consequences for refusing to serve. However, the High Court of Justice temporarily suspended the implementation of the second law to review appeals challenging its legality. The decision highlights the deepening divide between the government and Haredi communities, with both sides accusing each other of undermining national interests. As the situation continues to evolve, the government faces increasing challenges in balancing national security concerns with the rights and traditions of religious minorities. Meanwhile, the recent clash in Jerusalem underscores the volatility of the issue, with protests and confrontations likely to persist in the coming months.