2 arrested in Bnei Brak amid rioting at building housing ultra-Orthodox IDF program

Dozens of ultra-Orthodox men and boys attempted to break into a Bnei Brak office building housing a Defense Ministry program for Haredi soldiers in military intelligence. Police arrested two people. The rioters damaged doors but did not reach the soldiers. The incident highlights ongoing tensions over Haredi military service exemptions.

Dozens of ultra-Orthodox men and boys attempted to break into a Bnei Brak office building housing a Defense Ministry program for Haredi soldiers in military intelligence on Wednesday. Footage showed people inside the building standing guard as security and police scuffled with protesters. Police arrested two people. The rioters damaged doors but did not reach the soldiers. No injuries were reported. The Kodkod program trains Haredi men aged 23 or above for software and cyber roles in the IDF. The Haredi community has historically shunned army service. The incident comes amid political tensions ahead of the October 27 election, with Shas leader Aryeh Deri saying his party would not join the next government unless it passes legislation preserving Haredi exemptions. The High Court has pressed for enforcement after its 2024 ruling against blanket exemptions. Some 80,000 Haredi men aged 18-24 are believed eligible but have not enlisted. The IDF says it urgently needs 12,000 recruits.