Israel: Ultra-Orthodox protest in Jerusalem results in 46 arrested August 2 /update 2

Event

A group of ultra-Orthodox Jews affiliated with the Jerusalem Faction protested in Jerusalem on Thursday, August 2, to denounce the arrest of a student who failed to report to the military enlistment office. Police fired water cannons and skunk spray on the crowd after protesters blocked traffic at the intersection of Jaffa Street and Sarei Yisrael Boulevard and others jumped in front of light rail trains. At least one police officer was wounded and 46 people were arrested in the demonstration. Additional related protests are possible in the coming days. Heightened security measures and localized transportation disruptions, including on light rail systems, are expected near demonstration sites.

Context

Ultra-Orthodox Jews are typically exempt from mandatory military enlistment but are required to report to enlistment offices to sign a deferral of service - an issue which has spawned related protests in recent months. Protests over the draft, some of them violent, have notably taken place in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, and Beit Shemesh - cities that are home to large ultra-Orthodox communities.

Advice

Individuals in Jerusalem are advised to avoid protests as a precaution, allow additional time to travel near demonstration sites, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.