A military vehicle carrying ultra-Orthodox Jews arrested for desertion to be taken to prison was attacked overnight by ultra-Orthodox demonstrators, the Israeli army and military radio reported, quoted by Agence France-Presse, BTA reported.
Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews have been sent draft notices in recent months, even though they have been largely exempted from military service until now. The army's human resources are under serious pressure because of the war that began after the unprecedented attack by “Hamas“ against Israel on October 7, 2023.
Calls to end the exemption from military service are growing, as some reservists have already served hundreds of days since the war began nearly two years ago.
“Several deserters were arrested, tried in disciplinary proceedings and sent to prison,“ the army said last night.
A military radio journalist said those arrested were ultra-Orthodox and posted photos online of a military vehicle stopped in the road by dozens of demonstrators, some of whom sat on the ground to block its movement.
“Several demonstrators threw stones and sprayed tear gas at the vehicle,“ the army said, adding that one of the detainees managed to escape.
In recent months, discussions to change the military service law have are intensifying and putting the government under pressure. The two ultra-Orthodox parties have left the coalition and are demanding the passage of a law that would legalize exemption from military service.
According to Israeli media, the bill will not be discussed before the end of the Jewish holidays in mid-October.
The ultra-Orthodox represent about 14% of Israel's Jewish population, or nearly 1.3 million people. About 66,000 men of draft age are currently exempt from military service.