Yeshiva students

Editor's Notes: High Court ruling on women in tanks deepens religious divide in IDF - comment

Women who made history in tanks on Oct. 7 fought in all-female crews. Both camps in the Armored Corps dispute should be claiming that morning as a victory. Instead, both pretend it never happened.

DF armored forces at a staging area in southern Israel near the border with Gaza. January 01, 2024.
IDF reserve Infantry and Merkava Tank soldiers train in a military exercise in the Golan Heights on October 23, 2023

Some 25 hesder yeshivot boycott IDF's tank corps over new pilot to incorporate women

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich gives a Jerusalem Day address, May 14, 2026.

WATCH: 'All of Israel is ours': Smotrich calls to annex West Bank in Jerusalem Day speech

Mayor Zohran Mamdani arrives to deliver his 100 Days Address, a speech dedicated to outlining the progress made on his core campaign promises since taking office, in Queens, New York City, U.S., April 12, 2026.

Satmar HQ condemns Mamdani for vetoing no protest buffer zones around educational facilities


How Ben-Gurion's pragmatic decision led to haredim draft exemption - analysis

David Ben-Gurion's 1948 decision not to draft yeshiva students shaped Israel's policy, sparking decades of debate on military exemptions amid societal and political transformations.

 David Ben-Gurion – Israeli politician, Zionist leader, First Prime Minister of israel.

High Court ruling is too little, too late - comment

The government cannot afford to completely ignore the ruling and refrain from drafting any haredim.

 Police disperse demonstrators during a protest against haredi IDF conscription, outside the High Court in Jerusalem, June 2, 2024

Netanyahu's Likud repeats misleading claim in attack on High Court ruling

The government promised a haredi draft bill would be completed by the end of the Knesset summer session - but it is currently proceeding at a slow pace.

 Shas leader MK Aryeh Deri and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen during a Shas party meeting, at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on January 23, 2023.

'Holy Torah will prevail': Haredi lawmakers, ministers rage at Israel's High Court

Jerusalem Affairs and Jewish Tradition Minister Meir Porush said the ruling is "leading to two states" of religious and secular Jews.

 (L-R) Jerusalem and Jewish Tradition Minister Meir Porush; Shas leader Arye Deri

High Court unanimously rules against exemption for haredim in IDF

Likud: Peculiar that the High Court is forcing ultra-Orthodox conscription • Ruling also calls to freeze funding of yeshivas who do not comply

 An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man is seen exiting an IDF recruiting office in Jerusalem, June 25, 2024

'There are those better than Zionists': Rabbis seek donations for yeshivas post-High Court ruling

Following the High Court's decision, the rabbis, many affiliated with the current governing coalition, seek to raise $116 million to fund yeshiva students who do not enlist in the IDF.

 Rabbis in the ultra-Orthodox sector embarked on a fundraising campaign in the US for the benefit of yeshivas following High Court ruling, June 23, 2024.

It's time to make the IDF haredi-friendly - opinion

Israel should create a military environment in which it is possible to study and maintain a haredi identity.

A group of ultra-Orthodox Jews blocked traffic and the light rail  in Jerusalem demonstrating against a Haredi draft into the IDF. February 26, 2024.

Sephardi chief rabbi: Success of air defense is due to yeshivas, not the IDF

The Sephardi chief rabbi complained about hesder yeshiva leaders who had criticized his comments about the IDF.

 Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef sells the hametz (leavened food) of the State of Israel to Arab Israeli Mr Jaber before the upcoming Passover holiday in Jerusalem, April 21, 2024.

Matisyahu's amazing performance: A night of music, unity, and resilience in Jerusalem - review

Matisyahu's comeback at Jerusalem's Zappa Club drew a diverse crowd. Despite tour cancellations, his performance celebrated Jewish heritage, evoking emotion and leaving fans uplifted.

 Matisyahu performing at the Zappa concert hall in Jerusalem, April 3, 2024

The High Court's draft decision offers an opportunity for unity and shared sacrifice - editorial

The court’s ruling should serve as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue and engagement on the issue of military service instead of pathetic threats of emigration and political discord.

 A religious IDF Israeli soldier wrapped with Talit prayer shawl praying during a training of the Ultra Orthodox Unit at the Givati Brigade near the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh, September 27, 2017.