Haredi

Haredi Jews, or Ultra-Orthodox Jews, refers to a socio-religious demographic of Jewish people that follow strict interpretations of Torah, halachah (Jewish traditions) and rabbinical decrees. 


Haredi Jews are not a monolithic group, and have many ideological beliefs and differences sect to sect. Some characteristics that are often shared are cultural. Haredi Jews often wear old shtetl-style black and white clothing with distinct hats, have large families with a focus on the family unit, and live in neighbourhoods with predominantly Haredi families. 


Ideologically, haredi Jews vary on zionism, but often believe in separation of genders in public spaces, are against public life and works on shabbat, and are often antagonistic to many manifestations of technology. Haredi youth are expected to learn Jewish scriptures in Yeshivas until they are married. 


There are about 1.8 million haredi Jews in the world, many living in Europe, the United States, and Israel. In Israel Haredim make up about 12% of the population. There are haredi parties in the Israeli Knesset, such as Shas, United Torah Judaism, Noam, and Yachad.


One conflict between haredi Jews and other cleavages in Israeli society is military service. In the past there have been protests against the conscription of haredi men into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Laws have previously been passed to compromise and preclude haredi men from conscription. Another point of contention has in the past been haredi representation in the workforce, but the number of haredi Jews integrating into the workforce has been increasing.

Behind yeshiva walls: The hidden sexual abuse in haredi communities - opinion

It seems that every time a new scandal erupts, the deep fracture within the haredi community is exposed once again.

 HAREDI YESHIVA students: These 135,000 boys, and then men, and then senior citizens, who will also not pay health tax, will place a heavy burden on the health care system in around 60 years’ time.
 Druze residents protest near the Israeli-Syrian border fence in solidarity with their community in Syria, in Majdal Shams, July 16, 2025.

Shas exits Netanyahu's gov't, Syrian Druze leaders reach ceasefire in Sweida

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the IDF’s Hasmonean Brigade training base in the Jordan Valley July 15, 2025

Netanyahu, Smotrich visit IDF haredi brigade, praises soldiers' willingness to serve

 Ultra orthodox jews at the headquarters of United Torah Judaism list for the Beit Shemesh municipality, during the Municipal Elections, in Beit Shemesh, February 27, 2024.

Does UTJ’s departure mean that Israel is heading to an election? - analysis


Edelstein to haredim: Now is not time to topple government

Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chair Yuli Edelstein called on haredi politicians to exhibit “national responsibility.”

 Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein leads a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on May 8, 2025.

Shas spiritual council to rule on leaving Netanyahu gov't on Wednesday

The ultra-Orthodox party's council said that Wednesday's meeting comes in the wake of "severe and unacceptable harm to the status of Torah students.”

Shas faction leader MK Arye Deri seen outside the party offices in Jerusalem, June 4, 2025

Odeh impeachment fails as haredi party, opposition MKs abstain

The upcoming vote to impeach MK Ayman Odeh is unlikely to receive a majority vote after the haredi United Torah Judaism party announced its intention to abstain.

 Hadash-Ta'al leader Ayman Odeh attends a protest in his support, outside the Knesset in Jerusalem, June 30, 2025.

Arye Deri denies telling Shas MKs to prepare to leave gov't coalition in coming days

Israel's public broadcaster KAN News reported the claim earlier on Sunday evening, but it was later denied by a spokesperson from Deri's office.

 Shas party leader MK Arye Deri after a meeting on the haredi draft bill in Jerusalem, June 4, 2025.

Haredim cannot say God is theirs if they cut themselves off from Israel - opinion

The anathema we have built into us Jews of a poresh min hatzibbur, “one who disconnects himself or herself from the community,” is what will lead to our disconnecting from the haredi public.

 An illustrative image of haredim.

The Family Institute: Changing views on therapy in the haredi world

The Family Institute clinic serves mostly haredi and National Religious clients, offering specialized therapy for individuals, couples, families, children, and victims of abuse.

 RABBI DR. YISRAEL LEVITZ with Family Institute graduates, 2015.

Deri and Lapid clash over IDF draft law, sanctions on ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students

Aryeh Deri responded to the Attorney-General's discussion on the High Court of Justice consideration over the draft law and the plan to toughen sanctions against yeshiva students who don't enlist.

A view of the Shas party offices in Jerusalem, June 4, 2025

Israel Police arrest haredi left-wing journalist for post glorifying death of soldiers

The suspect will remain in custody and be brought for a detention extension hearing on Thursday, police added.

 Israel Frey in handcuffs after being arrested by Israel Police for inciting hatred towards killed IDF soldiers, July 9, 2025.

Israel Police investigates left-wing journalist for expressing joy at death of five IDF soldiers

"The world is a better place this morning, without five young men who participated in one of the most brutal crimes against humanity," haredi left-wing journalist, Israel Frey, wrote on X/Twitter.

 Israel Frey protests calling for the release of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip outside Hakirya Base in Tel Aviv, April 8, 2024.

IDF soldiers killed due to yeshivas 'neglecting Torah study', former chief rabbi claims

Yitzhak Yosef condoled the families of the five soldiers killed in Gaza's Beit Hanun in an open letter, calling for increased Torah study, implicitly denouncing haredi draft attempts.

 Shas spiritual leader and former Sephardic chief rabbi, Yitzhak Yosef, seen during a weekly lecture at the Yazdim synagogue in Jerusalem, June 07, 2025; illustrative.

Haredi parties ramp up pressure after Edelstein IDF draft bill delayed

The boycott marked an uptick in the haredi parties’ pressure campaign, as they had previously refrained from boycotting the plenum on Monday.

 Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein leads a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on May 8, 2025.