TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - JUNE 5, 2025: Hundreds of Ultra-Orthodox Jews (Haredim) staged a protest on Thursday, June 5, in the city of Bnei Brak, near Tel Aviv, to denounce a proposed law imposing fines and penalties on those who refuse compulsory military service. Wearing traditional black suits, white shirts, and fedora hats, the demonstrators blocked one of the city’s main roads to protest. Israeli forces intervened to disperse the crowd and reopen the road to traffic. The ultra-Orthodox community has been protesting the draft law since the Israeli Supreme Court ruled last June that they must enlist. The ruling also bars financial support for religious institutions whose students refuse to serve. Haredim account for about 13% of Israel’s 10 million citizens. They oppose military service on religious grounds, arguing that studying the Torah is their primary duty and that integration into secular society threatens their religious identity and community cohesion. For decades, Haredi men have received repeated draft deferments on the basis of religious studies until they reach the exemption age, currently set at 26. The Israeli opposition has accused Netanyahu of attempting to pass legislation exempting Haredim from service to satisfy coalition partners and avoid a government collapse. Reporting by Ameer Abed Rabbo // Writing by Mustafa Tuncer