Over 50,000 Orthodox Jews Protest Military Draft in Jerusalem

In a massive Jerusalem protest, over 50,000 Orthodox Jews gathered against mandatory military conscription, declaring loyalty to Torah law over politics.

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One of the largest Orthodox Jewish protests in recent history filled Jerusalem’s Zupnik Square, as 50,000 Jews opposed Israel’s military draft, declaring: “Leave us alone — we live by the Torah, not the army.”

United Religious Leadership

In one of the largest religious gatherings in recent memory, over 50,000 Orthodox Jews filled Jerusalem’s Zupnik Square and surrounding streets to protest against mandatory military conscription. Many carried signs reading:

• “We were here before you and lived in peace with our Arab neighbors.”
• “The Torah protected us for 2,000 years — we don’t need your army.”

The July protest, called by the Eidah Chareidis, demonstrated rare unity among leading Orthodox rabbis and Chassidic leaders, including:

• Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch (foremost halachic authority)
• Rabbi Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveitchik (Rosh Yeshiva of Brisk)
• The Slonimer Rebbe
• The Toldos Ahron Rebbe
• Rabbi Moshe Tzadka of Porat Yosef
• Dozens of other rabbinic leaders

“Leave Us Alone” – The Core Message

Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch’s keynote address was uncompromising:

“According to Jewish law, it is forbidden for any young man to join the army — whether he studies in yeshiva or not. We demand one thing from the government: leave us alone! Allow us to live according to the Torah.”

He added:

“Even if they want to put us in jail, we will not give in, because we are the servants of God, not of any earthly government.”

Historical Context: Pre-1948 Jerusalem

Many protesters traced their roots back to Jerusalem’s Jewish community long before the founding of Israel in 1948. Their signs reflected this heritage:

• “We Didn’t Create the Problem by Founding the State”
• “Don’t Ask Us to Fix it by Joining the IDF”
• “Our Families Lived Here in Peace for 200 Years Before Zionism”

Rabbi Yitzchok Moshe Erlanger, whose family has lived in Jerusalem since the 1800s, explained:

“My great-grandfather came here to serve God, to study Torah, to pray at the holy sites. He lived in peace with his Arab neighbors. They shared meals, did business together, helped each other. The problems started when people decided to create a political state against Torah law.”

The Religious Objection

Protesters emphasized that their objection to military service is rooted in Jewish law, not politics:

1. Violation of the Three Oaths – The Talmud prohibits Jews from taking control of the land by force.
2. Spiritual Corruption – The army environment is seen as incompatible with Torah values.
3. Hastening Redemption – Forcing redemption through military power contradicts divine will.

Young Voices

Many young Orthodox Jews echoed these sentiments. Yosef, a 19-year-old yeshiva student, said:

“My ancestors survived the Romans, the Crusades, the Inquisition, pogroms — all by holding onto Torah. Now they want me to abandon Torah for an army? To fight in wars that our rabbis say violate Jewish law? I’d rather go to prison.”

The Deeper Message

Rabbi Gamliel Rabinowitz summarized the protest’s broader meaning:

“This isn’t just about the draft. This is about the fundamental question: Are we a people defined by Torah, or by land and politics? For thousands of years, the answer was clear. We’re here to remind the world that for Torah-true Jews, the answer hasn’t changed.”

The protest made clear that Orthodox Jewish communities see themselves as guardians of authentic Judaism, insisting that true Jewish strength comes not from armies, but from Torah and divine protection.