Hundreds of haredim arrive at Tel Hashomer to enlist in IDF as anti-draft protesters gather

“The young men who walked through those gates this morning show you can be fully committed to Torah study and still defend this country on the front line," said Lt.-Col. (res) Yossi Levi.

Hundreds of haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men arrived at the Tel Hashomer military base on Sunday to be drafted into the IDF, with many of them heading into combat units, as protesters gathered outside.

“This is a real jump,” said Lt.-Col. (res) Yossi Levi, CEO of the Shomer Yisrael Organization, which works to bring haredi men into the IDF. “The young men who walked through those gates this morning show you can be fully committed to Torah study and still defend this country on the front line. Our job is to build the support that makes both possible.”

Among the possible units the haredim may join are the Haredi Paratroopers Company, the Hashmonaim Brigade, the Netzah Yehuda Battalion, Ma'alot Tzur, and the Yoav Project.

At the recruitment center, Israel Police arranged security forces to prevent anti-draft protesters from disrupting the proceedings.

Protest erupts after police arrest draft dodger

On Friday, dozens of haredi protesters attempted to block Route 443 in order to prevent the detention of a draft dodger, Israel Police announced.

According to the police, a 20-year-old had been caught driving a stolen car, after which it was determined that he was also a draft evader.

Shortly after his arrest, the police stated haredi demonstrators arrived at the scene in order to attempt to block the road.