The Video Does Not Feature Ultra-Orthodox Jews Fleeing Israel to Escape Conscription
The Claim
A video shows ultra-Orthodox Jews fleeing Israel to evade conscription.
News posted on
Emerging story
Amidst the ongoing Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip, social media users circulated a video clip purporting to show ultra-Orthodox Jews fleeing Israel to evade conscription.
Iran Observer initially uploaded the footage to the X platform, where it amassed over six million views before being shared by other social media users.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the viral footage and found the claim to be misleading.
The video does not show ultra-Orthodox Jews fleeing Israel to escape conscription.
The Video Shows Various Travelers at Ben Gurion Airport
The video was first published on a WhatsApp channel managed by Dudi Rubenstein, a blogger focusing on travel, on March 3.
The footage shows the bustling at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv and does not specifically depict "thousands of Orthodox Jews" but rather various individuals at the airport, according to the original publisher.
Searching on Google using the watermark "Dudi Rubinstein" that was displayed in the video, Misbar's team tracked his website and social media profiles.
Moreover, the translated caption of the video accompanying the video reads, "Part of today's 35,000 happy passengers. Thanks to our dear followers B.K. Enjoy your flight!"
Ultra-Orthodox Jews Protest Against Conscription to the Israeli Army
In early March, hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men affiliated with the extremist Jerusalem Faction, opposed to Zionism, blocked a major north-south highway near Bnei Brak for several hours on Sunday to protest against increasing calls to end blanket draft exemptions for Haredim. During the demonstration, some protesters reportedly insulted police officers by calling them "Nazis."
The Jerusalem Faction, an extremist ultra-Orthodox group with around 60,000 members, is known for its conservative stance within the Haredi community and frequently protests against the conscription of yeshiva students.
Yitzhak Yosef, one of Israel’s two chief rabbis, weighed in on the debate regarding the military service of ultra-Orthodox Jews, said: "If they force us to go to the army, we’ll all go abroad."
Israel's Barbaric War on Gaza Lasts for Over 167 Days
Israel's continued assaults on Gaza have resulted in the deaths of over 31,923 individuals. The Israeli military reported killing more than 140 people in its ongoing raid on Gaza City's al-Shifa Hospital, now in its fourth day. Eyewitnesses also noted the detention of Palestinian journalists and health workers by Israeli forces.
A United States-supported United Nations Security Council resolution for an immediate Gaza ceasefire may be voted on this week, as per a diplomatic source.
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