The Bnei Brak march in support of 160 haredi draft evaders also doubled as the public launch for Tzeva Shahor, a haredi protest movement that began as an anti-conscription alert network. Organizers downplayed the event’s political nature to avoid intervention. Former IDF chief Gadi Eizenkot called the rally "Netanyahu's walk of shame" and vowed to form a mobilization government to tighten conscription rules; Avigdor Lieberman warned the current coalition depends on support from haredi draft evaders.
Haredi March in Bnei Brak Supports 160 Draft Evaders — and Quietly Launches Protest Party 'Tzeva Shahor'
Haredi protest over draft law, April 12, 2026. (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
Hundreds of haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men marched through Bnei Brak on Sunday to show public support for 160 haredi draft evaders who have served time in military prison. The demonstration also served as the public launch of Tzeva Shahor ("Black Color"), a new haredi protest movement and political list, N12 reported early Monday.
Organizers deliberately downplayed the rally’s political dimension out of concern that police or rabbinical authorities might intervene and stop the event. What began as an alert network — set up to warn supporters if military police attempted to detain draft evaders — has since evolved into a broader political movement contesting conscription policy for the ultra-Orthodox community.
How the Detainees Were Apprehended
Supporters refer to the detained men as "prisoners of Torah." According to reports, the 160 haredi draft evaders were not arrested in a large-scale pre-planned operation; authorities detained them when they tried to travel abroad to visit the grave of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov in Uman for Rosh Hashanah.
Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yashar Party, speaks to the Jerusalem Post ahead of elections in September 2026. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
Political Reactions
Gadi Eizenkot, former IDF chief of staff and leader of the Yashar Party, criticized the coalition in a post on X (formerly Twitter), calling the demonstration "Netanyahu's walk of shame." Eizenkot said, "In Netanyahu's Government of Evasion, the deserters are the heroes," and accused the government of tolerating evasion and abandoning security. He pledged his party would replace what he termed the "Government of Evasion" with a "Zionist mobilization government" ahead of the September 2026 elections, promising a stricter draft law, stronger IDF mobilization, recognition for those who serve, and sanctions on evaders.
Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beytenu, echoed the criticism of the current coalition, arguing that without the support of haredi draft evaders "Bibi has no government." Lieberman added pointedly that the protesters' public prominence would soon be confined to reserve duty, quipping: "Soon, their parade will be in the reserves."
What Tzeva Shahor Wants
Tzeva Shahor began as a grassroots alert network and has expanded into a political list aimed at defending the ultra-Orthodox community from expanded conscription measures. The movement signals a more organized political challenge from within the haredi community, combining social activism with electoral ambitions.
Organizers said they concealed the political launch to avoid immediate legal or religious obstruction, but the public unveiling makes clear the movement intends to influence Israel’s conscription debate and upcoming elections.
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