Thousands of Haredi protesters marched through Jerusalem this week to demonstrate against the mandatory military draft. The protest, which focused on supporting those who refuse to serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), included public displays of defiance against the state's conscription policies. Participants carried signs and banners that explicitly denounced the IDF, with some referring to the military as an 'enemy army' and criticizing the 'altar of Zionism.'

The demonstration comes amid an ongoing and intense political battle regarding whether Haredi students should be required to serve in the military. While the protest was intended to celebrate those who avoid the draft, reports have emerged suggesting that cash grants were promised to participants or those who maintain their refusal to serve. This development has drawn sharp condemnation from various opposition leaders, who view the rhetoric and the financial incentives as a direct challenge to national unity and the rule of law. The event highlights the deepening divide between the Haredi community and the secular establishment regarding the role of religious citizens in national service.