Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef Leads Anti-Draft Rally in Bnei Brak Amid Political Tensions

Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews gathered in Bnei Brak on Monday evening for a rally opposing military conscription, led by former Chief Rabbi and Shas Council of Torah Sages member Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef. This marks the first time Rabbi Yosef has taken a public stance in such a protest, despite Shas party leaders preferring to avoid the heightened attention. The event was broadcast live by ynet.

The rally was organized by the "Am Kadosh" group, affiliated with the more militant Jerusalem faction, known for protesting even against Shas Knesset members. Throughout the day, Shas council members debated whether to join Rabbi Yosef at the demonstration. The party's leadership reportedly did not want its rabbis participating due to the group's confrontational reputation.

Last week, widespread traffic disruptions occurred nationwide during a similar ultra-Orthodox protest supporting draft evasion. The protest began at 4 p.m. with slow-moving convoys from dozens of locations in 19 cities across Israel. The original plan was to reach Prison 10 near Kfar Yona, but police blocked access, leading organizers to circle near Highway 57 instead. They declared the event concluded around 8:20 p.m. but warned of "further surprises."

Separately, ynet revealed a political deal between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ultra-Orthodox parties last week. The agreement includes advancing legislation on the Basic Law for Torah Study, preventing arrests of draft evaders, and kosher certification laws. In return, the ultra-Orthodox parties agreed to support a political investigation committee on the October 7 attacks, back the first reading of a bill to split the Attorney General's powers, and hold elections by late October.