Thousands gather in Jerusalem demanding early elections and change
7:47 PM EDT, March 31, 2024, updated: 3:05 AM EDT, April 1, 2024
Organizers estimated the crowd to be about 100,000 strong, waving the blue-and-white flags of Israel and chanting for immediate elections despite the normal parliamentary election cycle not being due for another two years. The assembly heard from various speakers, including parents of individuals taken to the Gaza Strip by terrorists, opposition politicians, and activists. Additionally, there were announcements of plans to establish a tent city next to the Knesset as protests are set to continue.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas executed a terrorist attack on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities, the majority being civilians, and the kidnapping of over 240 people to the Gaza Strip. A ceasefire in late November saw the release of 70 Israeli hostages in exchange for 210 Palestinian prisoners. However, about 130 kidnapped Israelis remain captives, with some possibly dead.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has further fueled the controversy regarding the military draft exemption for students of ultra-Orthodox religious schools. The Reuters agency highlighted this dispute.
Traditionally, since Israel's establishment in 1948, young ultra-Orthodox Jews (Haredim) were excused from compulsory military service, a practice defended by their leaders who argued that praying for Israel's security was as critical as serving in the military. However, this exemption was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2017, which tasked the Knesset with creating a fairer draft system. Despite this, the parliament has yet to implement it, with some right-wing members pushing for a permanent exemption for all full-time religious school (yeshiva) students.
The government was supposed to introduce new regulations to resolve this issue by March 31 but requested an additional 30 days from the Supreme Court to prepare them. The Court granted this extension but, in a provisional ruling, suspended state scholarships for students who would be subject to the draft starting the following Monday.
