Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men protested in Jerusalem on Sunday night against mandatory military conscription, following a Supreme Court ruling that the military must draft religious students.

Demonstrators, many in black clothing, gathered outside a yeshiva to hear rabbis speak against the draft in Yiddish.

They carried banners and posters with anti-draft slogans, declaring their refusal to enlist.

The ruling, which ended exemptions for ultra-Orthodox religious scholars, challenges a core belief that they support the state through prayer and preserving Jewish traditions.

This decision significantly impacts the two ultra-Orthodox political parties in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, as protecting military-service exemptions and lifelong Torah study is crucial for their support, the Wall Street Journal has reported.

While these parties face pressure to remain in the coalition to avoid new elections, their leaders argue they have no reason to stay in the government without these exemptions.

Written by B.C. Begley