Mass Protests in Jerusalem Over Military Conscription, One Dead

Jerusalem – Approximately 200,000 ultra-Orthodox men demonstrated in Jerusalem today against mandatory military conscription, a protest marred by clashes with police and the death of a 20-year-old man who fell from a construction site.

The demonstration, described as a rare display of unity among different ultra-Orthodox sects, began peacefully but escalated as portions of the crowd became disruptive, throwing objects at journalists and police. A 20-year-old man, later identified as Menachem Mendel Litzman, fell to his death from an unfinished high-rise building where a group of young men had gathered; police are investigating the incident as a possible suicide. This event underscores the deep divisions within Israeli society regarding military service and religious observance.

The protest was organized in response to recent arrests of ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers – over 870 have been arrested in recent months – and upcoming discussions regarding a revised conscription bill in the Knesset. “The whole thing is a plan to keep us from keeping our religion, we’re not going to agree to send our boys there,” said Ephraim Luff, 65, a yeshiva student from Bnei Brak. The expiration of a previous law granting exemptions for yeshiva students in 2023 led to a High Court ruling mandating the drafting of ultra-Orthodox men, a decision met with widespread opposition within the community.

Despite the tragic events, the Israel Police stated they have opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Litzman’s death and are working to disperse remaining protesters safely. The demonstration occurred alongside a separate event celebrating the completion of training for reservists of the IDF’s new Haredi brigade, highlighting the growing, though still limited, participation of ultra-Orthodox individuals in the Israeli military.

Authorities are continuing to assess the situation and anticipate further developments as the investigation unfolds.