19 Jul 2018 | 06:09 PM UTC
Israel: Ultra-Orthodox protests in Bnei Brak and Jerusalem July 19 /update 1
Ultra-Orthodox protests planned in Bnei Brak and Jerusalem July 19; heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions expected
Event
Ultra-Orthodox protesters have scheduled protest rallies in Bnei Brak and Jerusalem on Thursday, July 19, over the anticipated passage of a draft law which would require some yeshiva students to serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Protesters were expected to gather from the Ponevezh Yeshiva to Kahanamen Street in Bnei Brak at 17:30 (local time) and hold a rally at the site until 23:00. Demonstrators are also expected to block roads during the protest, including parts of Rabbi Dessler Street, Yehuda HaNasi Street, Ben Zakai Street, and Chason Ish Street. Though related protests are expected to be staged in Jerusalem on Thursday, no further details were immediately announced.
A heightened security presence and further localized traffic disruptions are expected near the protests. Additional related demonstrations are possible in Israel, particularly in Bnei Brak and Jerusalem, in the coming weeks.
Context
Protests over the draft, some of them violent, have taken place in recent months in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, and Beit Shemesh - cities that are home to large ultra-Orthodox communities.
In September 2017, Israel's Supreme Court struck down a 2015 law that granted military service exemptions to ultra-Orthodox men; however, the court suspended its decision for one year to allow for new arrangements to be made. Recent controversy and protests over ultra-Orthodox conscription, backed by the Jerusalem Faction group, have pressured Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition to formulate a new draft law to address the issue. However, Netanyahu's government has struggled to pass the bill into law due to disputes over its wording between religious factions. On July 15, the Israeli government petitioned the High Court of Justice to extend the deadline to pass the draft law by another seven months.
Advice
Individuals in Bnei Brak and Jerusalem are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all demonstrations and protests due to the risk of violent escalation, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.
