Central Israel witnessed violent confrontations as ultra-Orthodox Jewish protesters clashed with military and police forces during an attempted arrest of a draft dodger. The streets descended into chaos on November 26, 2025, when Military Police moved to detain an individual evading mandatory military service.
Night of Violence and Chaos
The situation escalated rapidly when Haredi community members swarmed law enforcement officers attempting to make the arrest. Protesters blocked major roads and surrounded police vehicles in a show of mass resistance. Dramatic footage from the scene shows a police patrol car being overturned by the angry mob as riot scenes gripped central Israel through the night.
Despite the intense confrontation that saw officers battling back crowds for hours, the targeted draft-evader managed to escape during the mayhem. Israeli authorities confirmed that three protesters were detained during the violent clashes, though the primary subject of the arrest operation slipped away amid the chaos.
Long-Standing Draft Tensions Reignited
This violent outburst has reignited Israel's long-running controversy surrounding military service requirements for ultra-Orthodox Jews. The Haredi community has historically received exemptions from mandatory military service, a policy that has generated significant political and social tension in Israeli society.
The latest confrontation underscores the deepening divide between secular Israelis who serve in the military and ultra-Orthodox communities seeking to maintain their traditional exemptions. The November 26th riots represent one of the most violent outbreaks in recent memory related to this contentious issue.
As footage of the clashes circulates online, the Israeli government faces renewed pressure to address the draft exemption policy that has been a source of national debate for decades. The incident highlights the ongoing struggle between religious traditions and national service obligations in modern Israel.
