Orthodox Protest in NYC Highlights Israel’s Questionable Military Draft Shift

In a powerful display of dissent against what many see as government overreach, thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews converged near the Israeli consulate in New York City to oppose Israel’s Supreme Court-mandated end to the longstanding military draft exemption for their community. This mass protest reveals not only internal divisions within Israeli society but also illustrates a deeper clash between traditional religious liberty and state-imposed obligations.Can National Sovereignty Respect Religious Freedom?The exemption allowing ultra-Orthodox men to defer compulsory military service dates back to Israel’s founding in 1948—a compromise intended to preserve vital religious study and community cohesion. Yet now, with pressure...