Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in Jerusalem on Sunday against the government of Benjamin Netanyahu and against military service exemptions granted to ultra-Orthodox Jews, scenes reminiscent of last year’s mass street protests, News.ro reported, citing Reuters.

Protesters light torches during a protest in Tel Aviv. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Israel in the largest protest since October 7 against the current government led by Benjamin NetanyahuPhoto: Eyal Warshavsky / Zuma Press / Profimedia

Groups of protesters, including some who led the mass demonstrations that rocked Israel in 2023, rallied outside parliament, the Knesset, calling for new elections to replace the government.

Protesters also want a fairer distribution of the burden of mandatory military service for most Israelis. About 600 soldiers have been killed so far since the October 7 attack by Hamas and the subsequent war in Gaza, the heaviest military casualties in years.

Israel’s N12 News said it was the biggest protest since the start of the war. News sites Haaretz and Ynet reported that the demonstration drew tens of thousands of people.

Israel’s war in Gaza has exacerbated a long-standing source of public contention that also worries Netanyahu’s coalition government – the exemption of ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students from military service.

With the government having until March 31 to pass legislation to break the decades-long impasse, Netanyahu last week filed a last-minute request with the Supreme Court for a 30-day delay.

Apparently giving in, the Supreme Court gave government officials until April 30 to submit additional arguments. But in an interim order, he also ordered the suspension of state funding for seminary students who were due to be drafted starting Monday.

  • Benjamin Netanyahu will undergo surgery on Sunday. The interim prime minister was appointed while he is under general anesthesia