NEW YORK (AP) — On Sunday, streets and sidewalks near the Israeli consulate in New York City were filled with thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews. They gathered to protest, among other issues, a potential policy change that would eliminate the exemption for religious students from mandatory military service in Israel.

Located just a block away from the United Nations campus in Manhattan, the protest highlighted the intricate dynamics between Israel and the large community of deeply religious Jews residing in New York and its surrounding areas.

Both of the influential, and sometimes competing, grand rebbes of the Satmar community urged their followers to join the demonstration. The Central Rabbinical Congress of the U.S.A. and Canada, which encompasses several Orthodox Jewish groups, played a role in organizing the event.

This protest follows a decision by Israel’s Supreme Court last year, which mandated the government to start drafting ultra-Orthodox Jewish men into military service. This marked a shift from a long-standing exemption policy that had been in place since Israel’s establishment in 1948.

Many ultra-Orthodox Jews express concern that compulsory military service could challenge their religious commitments. Conversely, numerous Jewish Israelis view the exemption as unjust. This issue has become more contentious since the onset of the conflict in Gaza.

Rabbi Moishe Indig, a leader in the Satmar community, admitted that the turnout might have surpassed organizers’ expectations, acknowledging a growing sense of urgency surrounding the matter.

He said he was appreciative of the governments in New York and the U.S. “for giving us the freedom and liberty to be able to live free and have our children go to school and study and learn the Torah.”