Netanyahu Calls for Calm Amid Ultra-Orthodox Teen's Tragic Death in Israeli Protest

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appealed for calm in the wake of a tragic incident in which a 14-year-old ultra-Orthodox boy was run over and killed by a bus driver during a protest against a proposed law requiring the community to serve in the military. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening and has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation.The victim, identified as Yosef Eisenthal, a yeshiva student, was caught under the bus as it continued to move forward for several meters, with onlookers desperately trying to free him. Video footage of the incident has been obtained by The Associated Press.The bus driver has been arrested and is being questioned by police, who claim he was attacked by protesters before the accident. The driver's arrest has been extended until January 15, but he has not yet been charged.The protests, which involved thousands of ultra-Orthodox demonstrators, were marked by violence and aggression towards police officers, with eggs and other objects being thrown at them. The incident has highlighted the deepening tensions between the Israeli authorities and the ultra-Orthodox community, known as Haredim, over the proposed law to draft them into the military.The exemption from military service, which was originally granted to a small number of gifted scholars, has been expanded over the years to include a significant portion of the ultra-Orthodox population. However, many secular Israelis, who have served multiple rounds of duty in the latest war with Hamas, are pushing for the exemption to be rolled back.Netanyahu's appeal for calm comes as he faces a political challenge from the ultra-Orthodox community, which has historically been a key supporter of his government. The proposed law has created a difficult situation for Netanyahu, who relies on the support of religious parties in the Israeli Parliament.