image sourced from original article at Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox men gathered in Jerusalem for a major protest against military conscription, marking a rare display of unity among the community's diverse sects. The event, intended as a prayer rally, quickly turned tragic when a 20-year-old participant fell to his death from an unfinished high-rise building, prompting organizers to abruptly end the demonstration and urge safe dispersal.
Despite heavy police presence and organizers' efforts to maintain order, parts of the crowd became unruly, resulting in clashes with police, attacks on journalists, and harassment of passersby. The protest was sparked by recent arrests of hundreds of yeshiva students accused of evading military service and upcoming legislative discussions on conscription.
The rally highlighted deep divisions within the ultra-Orthodox community over the issue of military service, with some factions open to compromise and others demanding blanket exemptions. The event also caused significant disruptions to Jerusalem's transportation systems and drew sharp reactions from both supporters and critics.
