Orthodox Jews in New York protest Israeli draft

Thousands of Orthodox Jews on Tuesday gathered outside the Israeli Consulate in Manhattan to oppose Israel’s new rules that would force religious Jews to enlist in the Israeli military. Faith leaders at the protest claimed religious Jews were being persecuted for adhering to Torah law by refusing to serve in the military. The New York protest demonstration was organized by the Central Rabbinical Congress of the USA and Canada, which said a series of follow-up demonstrations were being organized.

Some devout Jews believe that the Torah prohibits establishing a sovereign Jewish state before the Messiah comes and forbids waging war against other nations. The Torah comprises the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. Opponents of the Israeli draft say it’s impossible to observe Torah laws amid the conditions in which the Israeli military operates.

Why are they protesting now? The Israeli military over the last week arrested several ultra-Orthodox men in Israel who it said evaded the draft. The IDF has been ramping up orders to bring reservists into active service as Israel launches a full-scale invasion into Gaza. More than 14,600 people are currently evading the draft, according to The Jerusalem Post. Tensions began rising after Israel’s Supreme Court last summer ruled that ultra-Orthodox seminary students were not exempt from compulsory military service. 

Dig deeper: Read my report last year about the Israeli Supreme Court ruling.