Ultra-Orthodox Jews clash with Israeli police at recruiting office
Ultra-Orthodox Jews are protesting at an army recruiting office in Tel Hashomer against a plan to draft members of the community into the army.
In June, the Supreme Court decided that the army would now enlist draft-age ultra-Orthodox Jewish men into the military despite previously being exempt from the mandatory conscription, as the war on Gaza continues and the tensions on the Israel-Lebanon border intensifies.
According to The Times of Israel newspaper, 900 previously exempt students are expected to report to the recruitment offices later today. Protests are also expected to grow later in the day.
עימותים בין שוטרים למפגינים בלשכת הגיוס בתל השומר@AkivaWeisz pic.twitter.com/Fa8yX6VxTg
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) August 5, 2024
Translation: Clashes between police officers and protesters at the recruiting office in Tel Hashomer.
Israel expanding settlements to prevent Palestinian statehood: Smotrich
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says the Israeli government is working “to remove the threat” of Palestinian statehood as Western countries, including its ally the US, call for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
He said on X that any path to “this agenda” would be blocked through “strengthening settlements in construction, development, establishment and regulation of settlements and infrastructure”.
“Stopping the Arab takeover of the open areas, fighting the terrorist financing of the Palestinian Authority and its leaders and complete Israeli control of the territory [the occupied West Bank]. This is the only way,” Smotrich added.
Gallant urges ‘partners to stand by Israel at this time’
Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has made the remarks after his conversation with his Italian counterpart, Guido Crosetto, about “threats posed by Iran and its proxies”.
“Thank you Minister, for your solidarity, leadership, and firm stance regarding the Iranian issue. Also discussed the immediate importance of achieving an agreement for the return of hostages. We urge our partners to stand with Israel at this time,” he said on X.
Spoke with my friend, Italian Minister of Defense @GuidoCrosetto - updated him on security developments and threats posed by Iran and its proxies. We discussed IDF readiness and cooperation with our allies.
Thank you Minister, for your solidarity, leadership, and firm stance…
— יואב גלנט - Yoav Gallant (@yoavgallant) August 5, 2024
Israel’s opposition leader slams Netanyahu for ‘waiting to be bombed’
Yair Lapid has criticised the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming it has “no deterrence” against the expected Iranian attack.
“The Israeli government, is what we are seeing in recent days the new standard? Is it acceptable to you that for five days an entire country has been sitting and waiting for us to be bombed? Because there is no deterrence and there is no government,” he said on X.
