A devastating tragedy unfolded in Jerusalem on Thursday as a 20-year-old man, identified as Menachem Mendel Litzman, fell to his death from a high-rise building under construction during one of the largest ultra-Orthodox protests in recent years. The incident occurred amid a massive demonstration opposing the proposed conscription of yeshiva students into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), a deeply divisive issue that continues to stir strong emotions across Israeli society.
According to reports, Litzman’s fatal fall happened during the height of the rally near the entrance to Jerusalem, where hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox demonstrators had gathered. Witnesses said he was among several individuals who had climbed onto the under-construction building to get a better vantage point of the massive crowd below. Moments later, he tragically plunged from the 20th floor.
Emergency responders from Magen David Adom rushed to the scene but were unable to revive him. He was pronounced dead shortly after their arrival. Authorities have since launched an investigation to determine whether the fall was accidental or intentional.
Shortly after the incident, reports emerged in Hebrew media suggesting that Litzman may have left a farewell message on his Instagram account prior to the tragedy. The message, now circulating widely on social media, expressed love and remorse toward his friends and alluded to emotional distress. Its discovery has intensified the shock and sorrow within the ultra-Orthodox community, as many struggle to come to terms with the circumstances of his death.
The mass rally, which drew participants from across the country, was organized in protest of the government’s draft legislation that would require ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students to serve in the IDF. Demonstrators filled major roads and public squares, chanting prayers and slogans while holding signs condemning what they described as an infringement on religious freedom and Torah study.
Eyewitness videos from the scene showed some participants climbing onto rooftops, billboards, and even cranes to observe the enormous gathering—actions that raised serious safety concerns among organizers and police. Following Litzman’s fall, rally leaders urgently pleaded with demonstrators to come down from unsafe heights and maintain order.
Tragically, Litzman’s death was not the only serious incident reported that day. At the Moza Interchange along Route 1, a police officer sustained moderate injuries after being struck by a bus carrying protesters. He was transported to the hospital for treatment as authorities began investigating the collision.
Medical teams on site reported treating over 140 individuals for a range of issues, including dehydration, fainting, breathing difficulties, and minor injuries caused by the intense crowding and emotional atmosphere.
While the main demonstration concluded peacefully, clashes later erupted between protesters and police, resulting in several arrests and heightening tensions across the capital.
The death of Menachem Mendel Litzman has cast a somber shadow over what was intended as a peaceful act of protest. His passing serves as a tragic reminder of the volatility and emotional strain surrounding the nation’s ongoing debate over military conscription and religious exemption—a debate that continues to shape the social and political landscape of Israel.