Story perspectives

Protests threaten Israeli government, may trigger early elections

6/3/2026

Summary

Story summary

Demonstrations have raised prospect of early elections after ultra-Orthodox parties withdrew coalition support.
Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox protesters blocked roads and halted transport in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv on Monday, prompting police water-cannon use.
Exemptions for full-time seminary students, dating to 1948 and declared illegal in 2017, keep the Israel Defense Forces short of manpower.
Only about 10% of roughly 13,000 eligible ultra-Orthodox men enlist each year.

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Story summary

Demonstrations have raised prospect of early elections after ultra-Orthodox parties withdrew coalition support.
Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox protesters blocked roads and halted transport in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv on Monday, prompting police water-cannon use.
Exemptions for full-time seminary students, dating to 1948 and declared illegal in 2017, keep the Israel Defense Forces short of manpower.
Only about 10% of roughly 13,000 eligible ultra-Orthodox men enlist each year.