Ultra-Orthodox

Café Basimta: The Jerusalem café where Shabbat, religious freedom, and evangelism collide - opinion

Secular Israelis began showing up, buying coffee not because they wanted to hear about Jesus, but because they wanted to make a point about religious coercion.

The writers – Jonathan Feldstein (L) and David Nekrutman – outside Café Basimta, not on Shabbat.
 HAREDI YESHIVA students

Education Min. violated privacy law in leak exposing 21,000 special education students, court finds

Ultra-Orthodox protester holding a sign reading "Either Haredi or the army" during an anti-draft protest on Highway 4, October 8, 2026.

Haredi demonstrator dragged by vehicle as mass anti-draft protests erupt across central Israel

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish protesters demonstrate against an IDF recruitment conference for the Haredi community in Jerusalem, August 4, 2026.

Israel Police criticize Military Police over handling of Modi'in draft dodger arrest after riot


Laundering human capital: The reckless amnesty bills and their debasement of the Torah - opinion

Under the guise of concern for the world of Torah, two bills are on the table: the Basic Law: Torah Study on the one side, and the Law of Exemption from Arrests on the other. 

Haredi anti-draft protesters block Highway 4 near Bnei Brak denouncing the detention of a draft dodger, February 9, 2026.

Haredi protests against Jerusalem Light Rail continue, reports of over NIS 400 million in damage

The protests follow an N12 News report that haredi protests have cumulatively caused over NIS 400 million in damage to the Jerusalem light rail's unfinished Green Line.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish protesters set fire to construction materials during a protest against construction work on the Jerusalem Light Rail in the Bar-Ilan area of Jerusalem, June 8, 2026.

The hidden economic danger in the Basic Law on Torah Study

Another significant dimension has received almost no attention: the possibility that the law will alter Israel’s national priorities and damage the growth engines on which the Israeli economy depends

MKS ATTEND a House committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, on June 16, 2026.

Likud MK Kallner opposes criminal arrests for haredi draft evaders, backs economic sanctions

Kallner, a member of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, told 103FM that he does not think arresting yeshiva students is 'the right way.'

An Israeli soldier guard as young men gathered during a demonstration by Ultra-Orthodox Jews against Israel's military draft on June 17, 2026 outside the Beit Lid military base in Kfar Yona, Israel. The conscription of young ultra-Orthodox men into the military, from which they were long exempt.

Police remove haredi protesters attempting to block Jerusalem light rail construction

Members of Jerusalem's haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community have for weeks attempted to block construction of the light rail on Bar Ilan Street.

Ultra-Orthodox jewish men block a road during a protest against the jailing of yeshiva students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order, in Jerusalem, July 1, 2026; Illustrative.

Haredi protesters break into Jerusalem Light Rail construction sites, assault workers

In one video seen by The Jerusalem Post, haredi protesters try to push through the fence and get into a physical altercation with construction workers. 

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish protesters set fire to construction materials during a protest against construction work on the Jerusalem Light Rail in the Bar-Ilan area of Jerusalem, June 8, 2026.

Jerusalem cafe will remain open on Shabbat despite ultra-Orthodox protest, owner says

The Jerusalem Post magazine had highlighted Cafe Basimta last week as a new specialty caffeine spot which could serve as a "home away from home" for those seeking a quiet area in Jerusalem.

Ultra-Orthodox protesters outside of the Basimta cafe on Saturday, July 4, 2026.

WATCH: Haredi IDF soldiers graduate Hashmonaim Brigade's first officer training course

The course maintained full IDF standards, including all the instruction given to cadets at the IDF's Officer's School (Bahad 1), and allowed the graduates to maintain their haredi lifestyle.

Soldiers graduate from the Hashmonaim Brigade, July 1, 2026.

Israeli military nearing breaking point without more manpower, IDF warns Knesset committee

The reported gap in platoon commanders comes as the military continues to warn of broader manpower shortages across combat formations.

IDF troops operating in the Wadi Saluki area of southern Lebanon.

Arad residents protest alleged Gur Hassidic ‘takeover’ of city amid rising violence

A rally is planned in the city for Thursday amid escalating tensions, arrests, and accusations of selective police enforcement.

Ultra-Orthodox (haredi) Jewish men rally against the imprisonment of yeshiva students who failed to comply with IDF draft orders, on June 18, 2026; Illustrative.