Internal crisis looms as Haredi Jews take to the streets

According to reports, the protest will take place in the streets of Jerusalem, with demonstrators gathering to oppose the detention of religious students who have refused mandatory military service.

The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the Haredi community will carry out the protest in accordance with Talmudic prayer rituals, without any political speeches.

Organizers have scheduled the event for 2:30 PM, and the Israeli police estimate that around 500,000 Haredi protesters will participate, warning that all major roads and entrances in Jerusalem are likely to be blocked due to heavy traffic.

Experts have cautioned that this protest could lead to serious disruptions in public and private transportation and significantly impede city services.

The protest comes after the Israeli army violently arrested a Haredi student in Rishon LeZion for refusing to enlist, an action that Haredi leaders have compared to the situation of Israeli captives in Gaza, describing the arrest as a red line.

Yedioth Ahronoth notes that the detention has heightened tensions within the ruling coalition and sparked protests from Haredi politicians. In response, the Likud party, aiming to maintain coalition stability and political power, has decided to join the demonstration in support of the Haredi community and push for military service legislation favorable to them in the Knesset.

Meanwhile, Israeli army reservists, families of soldiers killed in the Gaza war, injured soldiers, and university students in the occupied territories have announced that they will take to the streets to protest against the Haredi refusal to serve, raising concerns of potential internal violence.

Israeli experts warn that under these circumstances; the protest could escalate into a serious internal crisis.