Israel: Mass arrest of ultra-Orthodox conscientious objectors intensifies debate

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Men at Ben Gurion Airport (Photo from 2025)

Some 40 strictly religious Jewish conscientious objectors have been arrested at Tel Aviv airport, according to media reports. The army broadcaster reported that the mass arrest had taken place after the men landed with a plane from New York. The ultra-Orthodox Chabad movement to which they belonged announced a series of protests.

The Times of Israel newspaper reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had criticized the arrest of strictly religious conscientious objectors as “harmful”. The leader of the right-wing conservative Likud party is dependent on the support of the strictly religious parties in the parliamentary elections in one week.

The army broadcaster reported that the military police had received information in advance that the men were on board a plane from the USA to Israel and had made preparations. Additional units of the military police were sent to the airport to arrest all the men. After their arrest, the men were taken on a bus to a large recruitment center near Tel Aviv.

There, everyone who is ready to immediately register for military service and put on a uniform should receive a suspended sentence. Those who refuse, on the other hand, should be tried and taken to a military prison.

The army had warned the Israeli police of possible mass protests and called on them to take appropriate security measures, the station reported.

The dispute over conscription for strictly religious Jews has long been causing intense tensions in Israel. The army is pushing for recruitment in the face of the continuing lack of combat soldiers, while ultra-Orthodox parties are refusing conscription to their faith community.

Why Trump certifies Netanayhu “no fucking judgment” and still recommends that he be elected, read here.