Mass protests in Jerusalem demand elections and criticize Netanyahu's policies
1 April 2024 11:31
The number of protesters, estimated by organisers to be around 100,000, waved the blue-and-white flags of Israel, chanting "Elections now!" According to the normal cycle, parliamentary elections are expected to occur in two years. Speakers who addressed the crowd included parents of individuals kidnapped by terrorists and taken to the Gaza Strip, as well as opposition politicians and activists. There was an announcement about setting up a tent city next to the Knesset and the intention to continue the protests.
On 7 October 2023, Hamas executed a terrorist attack on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities, mostly civilians, and over 240 people being kidnapped to the Gaza Strip. Towards the end of November, a several-day ceasefire led to the release of 70 Israeli hostages in exchange for 210 Palestinian prisoners. Around 130 kidnapped individuals from Israel remain captive, with some feared to be already dead.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has further escalated the controversy surrounding the exemption of ultra-Orthodox religious school students from the military draft, as highlighted by the Reuters agency.
Since Israel's establishment in 1948, young ultra-Orthodox Jews (Haredim) have been exempt from compulsory military service. The leaders of these groups have defended the exemption, claiming that prayer for the security of Israel is as crucial as military service. However, in 2017, the Supreme Court revoked this exemption, directing the Knesset to devise a new, fairer draft system. The parliament has yet to implement this, while the most conservative deputies have called for a permanent exemption for all yeshiva students engaged in full-time study.
The government had until 31 March to present regulations to resolve the dispute. Instead, it requested an additional 30 days from the Supreme Court to prepare them. The court conceded to this request but concurrently, in a provisional ruling, ordered the suspension of state scholarships to those students who would be subject to the draft starting the following Monday.
