Israel’s Ultra-Orthodox Set For ‘March of the Million’ Against Military Draft

Tens of thousands of Israel's ultra-Orthodox Jews, also known as Haredim, are gearing up to take to the streets of Jerusalem in a massive show of protest against the government's efforts to scrap a long-standing exemption from military service for their community. The highly anticipated "March of the Million" is set to take place on Thursday, with demonstrators expected to flood the city in a bid to protect their traditional way of life.The controversy centers around a decades-old agreement that has allowed Haredi students to forego military service and instead focus on their religious studies. The exemption has been a contentious issue in Israel for years, with many secular citizens arguing that it is unfair and that Haredim should be required to serve in the military like everyone else.The Israeli government has been grappling with the issue, and a recent court ruling has paved the way for the exemption to be scrapped. The Haredi community, however, is fiercely opposed to the change and has been mobilizing for a major show of force in Jerusalem. Organizers of the march are expecting hundreds of thousands of people to turn out, making it one of the largest demonstrations in Israel's recent history.The Haredi community views military service as a threat to their way of life, which is centered around intense Torah study and observance of Jewish law. They argue that being drafted into the military would disrupt their studies and force them to abandon their traditions. The community has long been a significant voting bloc in Israel, and the government is likely to face significant backlash if it pushes ahead with plans to end the exemption.The "March of the Million" is set to be a major test of the Haredi community's strength and determination, as well as the government's resolve to push through with its plans. The Israeli military has been preparing for the demonstration, and police have been deployed to maintain order and prevent any potential clashes. As the protest approaches, tensions are running high, and the world is watching to see how the situation will unfold.