Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Israelis demonstrated nationwide, blocking roads and trains and setting fires to protest mandatory military enlistment. The demonstrations highlight deep divisions over draft exemptions for religious students.

Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox demonstrated across Israel on Monday, blocking roads and trains and setting cars on fire to protest mandatory enlistment in Israel's military. <img alt="Israeli mounted police disperse Ultra-Orthodox Jews blocking a road during a protest against army draft in Jerusalem, Monday, June 1, 2026." src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8640x5760+0+0/resize/8640x5760!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdc%2Fa7%2F787abf3041...