Ultra-Orthodox protesters clash with police over military enlistment restrictions

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Protesters in Jerusalem Clash with Bus Driver, 14-Year-Old Boy Killed

A protest against ultra-Orthodox enlistment in the military turned violent on Tuesday night in West Jerusalem, resulting in the death of a 14-year-old boy and injuring three others. The incident occurred at an intersection in the Romema neighborhood, where demonstrators had gathered to express their opposition to the exemption of ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service.

According to reports, the bus driver involved in the incident had previously been attacked by protesters before driving into the crowd. Israeli authorities have launched an investigation into the incident and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a statement urging restraint and calling for further investigations.

The issue of ultra-Orthodox enlistment in the military has been contentious in Israel for years, with some arguing that exemptions are necessary to preserve Jewish law and tradition. However, others argue that the exemption is unfair and undermines national security.

In recent years, tensions have escalated over the exemption, particularly after reports of manpower shortages linked to Israel’s military conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. Some polls suggest that a majority of Israelis support ending the exemption, while two key coalition partners, United Torah Judaism (UTJ) and Shas, have threatened to withdraw from the government unless legislation is passed preserving Haredi exemptions.

Analysts say that the issue poses an existential threat to Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition, which has faced criticism over its handling of Gaza and unilateral attacks on regional neighbors. The Israeli army has incurred relatively few casualties compared to the tens of thousands killed during its conflict with Gaza, but anger among secular Israelis towards Haredi communities’ exemption from the draft has grown.

The incident has brought renewed attention to the issue, with Netanyahu urging restraint and calling for further investigations. The outcome of the investigation and any potential legislation on ultra-Orthodox enlistment remain uncertain.

Source: Al Jazeera