Ultra-Orthodox Jews Block Road Near Tel Aviv in Protest

Dozens of ultra-Orthodox Jews protested near Tel Aviv by blocking Highway 4 following the arrest of a draft evader from their community. The protest escalated when demonstrators assisted the evader in escaping, resulting in the overturning of a police vehicle. The Haredi community, which comprises about 13% of Israel’s population, opposes military service, asserting it threatens their religious identity. For years, many have avoided service through deferments for religious studies until reaching the exemption age of 26.

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