What's happened
A riot erupted in Bnei Brak after a visit by female IDF soldiers to a Haredi community, leading to arrests, injuries, and protests. The incident highlights tensions over military service and gender roles within ultra-Orthodox society, amid ongoing debates about conscription and religious exemptions.
What's behind the headline?
The violence in Bnei Brak exposes deep societal rifts over gender and military service in Israel. The ultra-Orthodox community's resistance to conscription, especially for women in combat roles, is rooted in religious and cultural values that oppose secular influences. The protests are fueled by a combination of religious authority, political opposition, and societal fears about changing gender roles. The IDF's push for gender equality, including integrating women into combat units, challenges traditional norms and provokes backlash. The incident also reveals how religious leaders, like Rabbi Dov Lando, influence community behavior, sometimes inciting violence through rhetoric. Moving forward, the Israeli government faces the challenge of balancing military needs with religious sensitivities, risking further unrest if tensions escalate. The broader implications include potential policy shifts on conscription and gender integration, but the societal divide remains a significant obstacle to national cohesion.
What the papers say
The Times of Israel reports that the riot was triggered by a visit from female soldiers to Bnei Brak, which was misinterpreted as an arrest attempt, leading to violence and arrests. The article highlights the community's opposition to military service and the role of religious leaders in inciting protests. The Independent describes the chaos, injuries, and police response, emphasizing the ongoing resistance to conscription among ultra-Orthodox groups. Both sources note the political and religious context, with opposition figures condemning the violence and defending religious authority, while the IDF denies any provocative intent. The contrasting perspectives underscore the complex interplay between security policies, religious beliefs, and societal tensions in Israel.
How we got here
The incident follows a long-standing debate over Haredi exemption from military service, which ended in 2024 with a Supreme Court ruling requiring conscription. Ultra-Orthodox communities generally oppose military service, citing religious reasons, while the IDF has increased efforts to integrate women into combat roles, sparking resistance and violence. Recent media attacks and religious leaders' rhetoric have intensified tensions, culminating in the violent protests in Bnei Brak.
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Bnei Brak or Bene Beraq is a city located on the central Mediterranean coastal plain in Israel, just east of Tel Aviv. A center of Haredi Judaism, Bnei Brak covers an area of 709 hectares, and had a population of 198,863 in 2018.