WATCH: Anti-draft protesters try to block roads into Tel Hashomer base, prevent haredi enlistment

On Monday morning, dozens of ultra-Orthodox (haredi) protesters attempted to block roads leading to the Tel Hashomer IDF recruitment base to prevent haredi enlistment, coinciding with the second day of the August 2026 haredi draft cycle. Protesters clashed with security personnel as police worked to disperse them and reopen roads. This enlistment wave, expected to last two weeks, will integrate hundreds of haredi men into combat roles within designated haredi tracks like the Netzah Yehuda Battalion. The Shomer Yisrael association, which facilitates haredi integration into the IDF, reported positive results from its pre-military academies. Lt. Col. (res.) Yossi Levi, CEO of Shomer Yisrael, stated, "We are seeing a significant step forward today." New recruits expressed enthusiasm, with Itamar Reinhold noting, "I simply wanted to be part of it."