A mass protest by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem turned into a scene of carnage on the evening of Tuesday, January 6, 2026. A 14-year-old boy, identified as Yosef Eisenthal, was crushed to death and three other teenagers were injured when a public bus drove through a crowd of demonstrators blocking a major intersection.
The incident occurred in the Romema neighborhood, a Haredi stronghold, where protesters had gathered to voice fierce opposition to the government’s military conscription law. The rally, which began with spiritual songs and fiery rabbinical speeches, escalated into violent clashes with police before the fatal collision.
The Fatal Incident: “A Wake-Up Call”
Around 9:00 PM, an “Extra” company bus at the intersection of Shamgar and Yirmiyahu Streets became surrounded by protesters who were setting fires and obstructing traffic. According to preliminary police findings and eyewitness reports:
- Escalation: Protesters reportedly attacked the bus, hitting the windshield, spitting at the driver, and tampering with the wipers.
- The Collision: The driver, an Arab man who reportedly called the police moments earlier fearing for his life, suddenly accelerated. Witnesses described the bus “pushing aside a whole bunch of boys” and dragging the 14-year-old victim for dozens of meters.
- The Aftermath: Emergency responders from Magen David Adom (MDA) found the teenager trapped under the vehicle with no pulse. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Political Tinderbox: Conscription and Crisis
The protest was part of a months-long wave of civil unrest following the Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling that ended blanket draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox seminary students. The issue has pushed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition to the brink of collapse.
| Factor | Detail |
| The Draft Law | A proposed bill that gradually increases Haredi recruitment while maintaining exemptions for many, which protesters call “spiritual destruction.” |
| Coalition Strain | The United Torah Judaism and Shas parties have faced intense pressure from their constituencies to block any form of enlistment. |
| National Tension | Non-religious Israelis, fatigued by two years of multi-front war, have demanded an end to the exemption, citing the need for “equality in the burden.” |
Reaction and Investigation
President Isaac Herzog called the evening “deeply sad and painful,” stating that violence has crossed a “red line.” While ultra-Orthodox lawmakers blamed the tragedy on “anti-Haredi incitement” in the media and legal system, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir assured the public that “all investigative directions” are being explored.
The bus driver has been detained for questioning. Investigators are currently weighing the driver’s claim of self-defense against allegations from eyewitnesses who claim he deliberately accelerated into the crowd.
