Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews demonstrated in occupied Jerusalem, rejecting military service. The recruitment of Haredim, who evade military service under the pretext of devoting themselves to studying the Torah, has always been a thorny issue in Israeli society.
The Haredi population in Israel is about 1,335,000, or 13.6% of the total population. The percentage of youth up to the age of 19 (conscription age) among the Haredin is 58%, compared to 31% among the general Jewish population.