Israel mounted police disperse ultra-Orthodox Jews, who are largely exempt from military service, protesting against conscription by blocking a highway near the centre of the Israeli city of Bnei Brak on April 28, 2026. Israel's Supreme Court on April 26 ordered the state to cut financial benefits to ultra-Orthodox Jews who refuse to answer conscription call-ups. There is a long-standing exemption from compulsory national service for ultra-Orthodox men who engage in full-time religious study, which dates back to Israel's founding in 1948. (Photo by Jack GUEZ / AFP via Getty Images) /