Female Israeli Soldiers Rescued After Confrontation in Bnei Brak
Two female members of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were escorted to safety by police after being pursued by a group of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men in the city of Bnei Brak, authorities said.
Video shared on social media showed the soldiers running through streets scattered with rubbish and overturned bins as officers formed a human shield around them. Police later confirmed that more than 20 individuals were arrested in connection with the incident.
Tensions Over Conscription Reform
According to local reports, the two servicewomen were mistakenly believed to be delivering military draft notices. They were reportedly on an official visit to the home of another soldier when the confrontation began.
Military service is compulsory for most Jewish citizens in Israel. However, members of the ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi, community have historically received exemptions—particularly those engaged in full-time religious studies at yeshivas. Efforts to revise or limit these exemptions have sparked widespread debate and protests in recent years.
The issue has gained renewed urgency amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with lawmakers discussing draft legislation that could require ultra-Orthodox men who are not enrolled in full-time religious study to serve in the military.
Prime Minister Condemns Incident
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the confrontation, describing it as unacceptable and stressing that those involved do not represent the broader ultra-Orthodox community.
He stated that the government would not tolerate attacks against members of the armed forces or security personnel carrying out their duties.
Religious leaders from within the ultra-Orthodox community also criticized the violence, distancing themselves from those responsible for the unrest.
Police Response and Arrests
Police said riot control units deployed stun grenades to disperse the crowd. A total of 23 suspects were detained. Three officers sustained injuries, and several police vehicles were damaged during the disturbances. One patrol car was overturned, and a police motorcycle was set ablaze, officials added.
Legal Background of the Exemption Debate
The exemption for ultra-Orthodox students has been a longstanding and contentious issue. Since the founding of Israel in 1948, men studying full-time in religious seminaries have been excused from mandatory service.
More than a decade ago, Israel’s High Court ruled the blanket exemption unconstitutional. Temporary legal arrangements allowing it to continue expired last year, compelling the government to begin implementing broader conscription measures.
Today, the ultra-Orthodox population makes up roughly 14% of Israel’s total population—a share that has steadily grown over the decades—adding further weight to the national debate over military service and equal civic responsibility.
