United Torah Judaism’s Meir Porush launches a hunger strike, accusing Israel’s Attorney General of fueling a secular–haredi clash that could spiral into civil war.
The deepening rift over Israel’s haredi military draft law has taken a dramatic turn, as MK Meir Porush of United Torah Judaism began a hunger strike outside the Jerusalem office of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, protesting the arrests of haredi draft dodgers.
In a blunt warning during an interview with Arutz Sheva – Israel National News, Porush said the Attorney General’s stance on conscription is pushing the country toward a dangerous breaking point:
“We are getting closer to a situation of a civil war in the State of Israel between the haredim and the secular Israelis. All this is inspired by the Attorney General. This is what she is causing.”
Porush accused Baharav-Miara of not only targeting the haredi community but also radicalizing the legal and political climate. He claimed she could escalate the conflict even further:
“I think she intends to publish an announcement next week that haredim can’t travel on the roads since the roads are being funded by the Transportation Ministry.”
The hunger strike marks one of the most confrontational steps yet in the battle over the conscription law, a longstanding and deeply divisive issue in Israeli politics. Supporters of the draft argue for equality in national service, while haredi leaders insist military exemption is essential for preserving religious study and community life.
With tensions already running high, Porush’s warning of potential civil unrest underscores the volatile mix of religion, politics, and law now gripping Israel — and the looming threat that the debate could spill beyond political halls into the streets.
