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Jerusalem Protests Over Military Service Erupt in Clashes Between Ultra-Orthodox Demonstrators and Police
Jerusalem – October 30, 2025 – A large-scale exhibition in Jerusalem, organized by members of the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community against mandatory military service in the Israel defense Forces (IDF), descended into violence on Thursday evening as clashes broke out between protesters and Border Police officers. the unrest followed a mass prayer rally that drew an estimated 200,000 participants, marking one of the largest displays of unity within the Haredi community in recent years.
Despite appeals from rally organizers for a peaceful dispersal, a significant number of demonstrators remained near the Route 1 entrance to Jerusalem after the official conclusion of the event.This led to confrontations with law enforcement, who deployed mounted officers and water cannons in an effort to clear the area. Police reported detaining several individuals who allegedly threw stones and erected barricades, successfully reopening Route 1 – a major highway connecting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv – to traffic. Train services from the nearby Yitzhak Navon station were also restored,tho reports indicated continued disruptions to the Jerusalem light rail system due to ongoing protests.
Tragedy and Escalation
The day was already marked by tragedy. During the rally, a 20-year-old man, identified as Menachem Mendel Litzman, fell to his death from an unfinished building. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death, including the possibility of suicide. The incident contributed to the heightened tensions that ultimately fueled the clashes.
Medics reported treating a total of 74 people throughout the day,including Litzman,for injuries sustained during the rally and subsequent unrest. At least three police officers were wounded, with footage circulating online showing one officer brandishing his firearm while escorting an injured colleague to safety.
[Imageofpoliceofficerwavingpistol-[Imageofpoliceofficerwavingpistol-[Imageofpoliceofficerwavingpistol-[Imageofpoliceofficerwavingpistol-Caption: A police officer escorts an injured colleague during clashes with ultra-Orthodox protesters in Jerusalem on October 30, 2025. (Fadel SENNA / AFP)]
Police intervened to prevent protesters from re-entering the construction site where Litzman fell, and also removed a group who had barricaded themselves on a nearby crane. Adding to the complexity of the situation, a pair of Haredi soldiers displaying a sign in support of detained Haredi yeshiva students were reportedly attacked by other protesters and required police assistance.
A Shift in Protest Dynamics
Yosef Goffman, a jerusalem-based yeshiva student who attended the rally, expressed sadness over the day’s events. He explained that he rarely participates in anti-draft demonstrations but felt compelled to attend this particular rally due to its endorsement by mainstream ultra-Orthodox parties within the Knesset. This represents a potential shift in the dynamics of the protests, as previous demonstrations have often been led by more radical factions like the Jerusalem Faction.
“I came because the major parties supported it,” Goffman
