Violent clashes erupted in Bnei Brak, a Haredi-majority city in Jerusalem, in response to protests against the conscription of religious Jews into the army.
In Bnei Brak, a predominantly Haredi city in Jerusalem, violent clashes occurred amidst protests against the conscription of Haredi Jews into the Israeli army. The protests were triggered by rumors that two female soldiers were distributing draft orders in the neighborhood. This sparked outrage among local Haredi residents, leading to confrontations with the police, including the overturning of a police vehicle and the burning of a police motorcycle, escalating the situation further.
The Israeli military clarified that the two women were not from military police as speculated, but were engaged in a recreational educational program related to the educational corps. Despite the clarification, tensions escalated as protesters pursued the soldiers while police attempted to escort them out of the area. One officer was reported injured during the clashes, and the police responded with sound grenades to disperse the crowds in response to the violence.
The protests were also fueled by messages spread via a hotline known as "the black line," used by opponents of the draft law to organize and incite demonstrations. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation across various political and military circles within Israel, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding military service in the Haredi community and the challenges faced by the Israeli government in addressing these issues.
