Tensions escalated in Jerusalem after Israeli police reportedly used stun grenades to disperse ultra-Orthodox demonstrators gathered outside the Russian Compound. Video circulating online shows riot-equipped officers confronting crowds of black-clad Haredi protesters as smoke bursts erupted in the street and groups of demonstrators rushed away from the area amid the unfolding confrontation.

The protest is part of a broader wave of demonstrations by ultra-Orthodox communities opposing mandatory military draft enforcement and recent arrests involving individuals accused of refusing conscription orders. Footage from the scene captures chaotic moments with police vehicles, parked cars, and crowds moving rapidly through the area as officers worked to clear roadways and restore order.

The ongoing dispute over military service has become one of Israel’s most politically sensitive domestic issues, generating repeated protests and clashes in recent months. Israeli authorities have argued that enforcement measures are necessary to uphold the law and ensure national readiness during a period of significant security challenges, while demonstrators continue to demand exemptions for members of their religious communities.