Draft Law

'March Of The Million' paralyzes Jerusalem

Due to a mass haredi rally in Jerusalem, Route 1 will be closed, the Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon train station will be shut down, and the light rail will be operating partial service only.

Haredi source calls Draft Law proposal 'nonsense'

Senior Agudat Yisrael source slams leaked proposal for Draft Law as 'political fabrication,' warns proposed quotas and sanctions on yeshiva students are 'unrealistic.'

Eased definitions, fewer sanctions

These are the changes in the haredi draft framework

The newly released Draft Law includes a series of major changes: the requirement for a quota of combat soldiers has been abolished, and the definitions for candidates for service have been significantly eased.

Major road closures:

Police brace for huge rally over haredi draft in Jerusalem

Hundreds of thousands are expected at a massive Jerusalem rally protesting haredi draft arrests. Major roads will close and access will be limited to organized buses.

Lapid:

'We’ll pass a law - no draft, no vote'

Yesh Atid chairman launches fierce attack on coalition’s Draft Law proposal: “It’s deception and fraud. This government isn’t interested in drafting haredim - only in collecting funds.”

Council of Torah Sages member: Support Draft Law

The head of Yeshivat Porat Yosef, Rabbi Shmuel Bezalel, clarified that the decisions regarding the Draft Law were made entirely with the consent of the Council of Torah Sages, without any external influence.

Smotrich vs. Rabbi Yosef

'He is disgracing himself, profaning God’s name'

Finance Minister and National Religious Party chairman Bezalel Smotrich responded forcefully to Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef’s claim that bereaved father Rabbi Tamir Granot is a 'heretic' for calling for drafting yeshiva students.

'Not sure he's really a rabbi'

Rabbi Yosef lashes out against pro-conscription rabbi

Former Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef launches attack against Rabbi Tamir Granot and other Zionist rabbis who support drafting haredim. 'They are classified as heretics.'

AG orders Netanyahu to increase enforcement of IDF draft

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara orders Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to increase enforcement activities against haredi yeshiva students, claiming status quo 'severely harms' equality.

Shas declares resignations over delay in draft law

The Shas party has ramped up pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to advance legislation regulating the draft status of yeshiva students.

Following yeshiva students' arrests:

Mass prayer rally planned in Jerusalem

Rabbi Dov Lando, Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, decide to hold mass prayer rally in protest of recent arrests of yeshiva students. 'Public prayer can help.'

Haredi draft dodgers complain about detention conditions

A married yeshiva student from Modi'in Illit who was arrested about a month ago for desertion says there is a spiritual danger in the military prison for draft dodgers.

Two haredi draft dodgers arrested in Ramla

Two haredi brothers from Ramla who did not report for IDF service were arrested. A third draft dodger evaded arrest in Be'er Sheva after refusing to open the door for military police.

IDF considering closing haredi company

IDF considering closure of haredi 'Tomer' company in Givati Brigade, amid low enlistment.

Violent protests against arrest of haredi draft evaders

Hundreds block roads in Bnei Brak, Jerusalem, and Safed after three haredi yeshiva students were arrested for evading the draft.

Haredim fume:

Military Police arrest yeshiva students at home for draft evasion

Two haredi yeshiva students, studying at prominent yeshivas, are arrested overnight for failing to appear for enlistment.

Draft Law delayed, discussions cancelled

The Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee has canceled discussions on the Draft Law this week due to delays in preparing the legislation and disagreements with leaders of the haredi parties.

Draft Law likely to pass in November

MK Boaz Bismuth submits proposal for Draft Law to legal adviser; proposal includes personal sanctions but without controversial additions.

Draft recruitment law to be formulated in coming days

MK Boaz Bismuth said that based on the document a draft law will be formulated in the coming days to guide the committee in the ongoing legislative process to regulate the haredi draft.

Gafni attacks coalition partners ahead of Draft Law debate

Ahead of the Knesset debate on the Draft Law, MK Moshe Gafni levels sharp criticism at coalition members over their conduct and priorities.

Haredi draft-dodger arrests continue despite protests,

Despite haredi protests, the IDF and Israel Police have continued to arrest haredi draft dodgers, including at Ben-Gurion airport.

Haredi MK demands draft dodgers be released for Yom Kippur

MK Meir Porush declared that 'it is inconceivable that on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year, young men should be in prison simply because they are Torah students.'

Haredi Rabbi compares the government to the Inquisition

Rabbi Sternbuch broke into tears during the sermon and called the government's handling of the haredi conscription issue a decree of annihilation.

Haredi draft evaders:

IDF amnesty sparks outrage over release of haredi draft evaders

IDF confirms haredi draft evaders will be released early under its routine holiday amnesty, but critics say the move shows poor judgment while tens of thousands of troops are serving on the front lines.

Ahead of holidays:

Activists urge release of jailed haredi draft dodgers

Approximately 100 haredi men are detained by Israel’s military police as they attempt to leave for the Jewish holidays. Activists urge their release before Rosh Hashana to avoid alienating the community.

Over 70 haredi draft dodgers arrested at Ben-Gurion Airport

Last night, dozens of haredi draft dodgers were arrested attempting to travel abroad for the High Holidays.

Goldknopf demands:

'Release defectors before Rosh Hashanah'

Goldknopf demands that yeshiva students detained by the army be allowed to celebrate Rosh Hashanah with their families and pray at the synagogues they attend every year.

Reservist In Knesset:

'I'm going to Gaza, promise me you won't rush the draft law'

A reservist who was present at a meeting on the draft law asked the MKs to promise not to push through legislation until the war had been won.

Draft-dodging groom still jailed; family outraged

A groom reportedly spent last Shabbat in military detention after having been arrested for not reporting for IDF service.

Military Police raids target haredi hesder students

The Military Police tried to detain students of haredi Hesder yeshivas on suspicion of being absent without leave from the IDF, despite their Hesder track having been submitted for approval as early as February.

First haredi draft-dodger arrested en route to Uman

Haredi yeshiva student, age 23, is arrested at Ben Gurion International Airport while en route to Uman and brought to military prison.

Arab draft:

High Court demands answers

High Court of Justice rules that the state must update by November whether it will promote a draft policy for Arabs. Cabinet Secretary: 'Enforcement against haredim only creates selective enforcement'

A haredi Israeli weighs in:

On draft and didactics

The more we haredim protest the draft, the more we prove the necessity of taking action. Opinion.

Petition to cancel all Yeshiva subsidies rejected

The Supreme Court unanimously dismissed a petition seeking to strip all funding from yeshiva students, but Justice Yitzhak Amit indicated to the petitioners that they may file an amended petition.

Despite Draft Law talks:

Haredi newspaper signals no budget support

Hamodia newspaper escalates tone, says haredi parties won't support budget bill despite talks on Draft Law.

As extremists protest

MK Succot distributes chocolate to haredi enlistees

MK Zvi Succot visited the Tel Hashomer Induction Center to support haredi men enlisting in IDF combat units, handing out chocolate as protesters from the Jerusalem Faction jeered.

Special induction day:

Dozens of Haredim enlist in IDF

Dozens of young Haredim reported to the Tel Hashomer induction center, joining the Netzach Yehuda Battalion, Hashmonaim Brigade, Paratroopers, Givati and Border Police.

Netanyahu’s message to the haredi parties

Prime Minister urges coalition partners to rejoin, citing existential threats and the importance of unity: "There’s no substitute for this government."

'Military police at the door? Get up and fight them'

Former Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef reassures yeshiva students that military police do not come to yeshivas, urges listeners to 'get up and fight them' if they make a home visit.

Leading rabbi: 'They're twisting my words'

Close aides of Rabbi Yitzhak Zilberstein condemn misrepresentation of his statements on IDF service.

Attorney General:

Law enforcement required against draft evaders traveling to Uman

After AG stated that the government must enforce the draft law at airports and draft evaders must face legal action, haredi party officials accused her of fueling division and called her Netanyahu’s 'greatest failure.'

National service enrollment reopens for haredi youth

National Service registration reopens for haredi youth, months after the program was halted; hundreds already serving in key security and emergency roles.

Likud MK:

'Knowing English doesn't make you fit to be Prime Minister'

MK Nissim Vaturi of Likud dismissed former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen's political ambitions this morning, saying he was unfit to lead Israel.

Supreme Court rejects bid to cancel haredi draft notices

The Supreme Court yesterday rejected a petition to cancel enlistment orders sent to about 5,500 yeshiva students, ruling the petition irrelevant after the IDF said it no longer uses National Insurance data.

Leading rabbi clarifies: I did not say to leave Israel on Shabbat

Rabbi Yitzhak Zilberstein, a leading haredi figure, clarifies remarks on bans on Torah study, stressing that instruction to desecrate Shabbat does not apply in Israel, where the government allows Torah study. 'Anyone not learning - should enlist in a haredi unit.'

Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir:

We cannot accept a situation where not everyone enlists

During a tour to Gaza, Chief of Staff LTG Eyal Zamir praised reservists’ contributions and emphasized Israel’s multi-front efforts, calls on all sectors of society to share the burden for the nation’s security.

Haredi MK warns of violence over haredi draft

The Beitar Illit city council held a special session in MK Porush's protest tent beneath the Justice Ministry to protest attempts to draft haredim by force.

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef: 'I'm not against IDF soldiers'

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, former Sephardic Chief Rabbi, says he did not speak against IDF soldiers, intended only to strengthen Torah study.

AG rejects petition to sanction Arabs for not serving in IDF

Bnei Brak resident petitions to impose academic and financial sanctions on Arab citizens of draft age, Attorney General’s Office dismisses request.

Leading rabbi: 'We are suffering great troubles'

Ahead of Elul term and following recent arrests, Rabbi Yitzhak Zilberstein calls on haredi yeshiva students to learn Torah constantly and avoid idle talk.

Haredi protests intensify, demonstrations and fast day planned

Haredi groups plan fresh protests against the detention of draft evaders, alongside a public fast and prayer later this week, while Tzohar’s Rabbi David Stav condemns refusal to serve as a 'disgrace of Hashem’s name.'

Haredi protesters block major roads in central Israel

Protests erupt in the Sharon area against draft dodgers' arrests, causing massive traffic jams.

Deputy AGs

Deny daycare subsidies to haredim who work as well

Deputy Attorneys General propose examining the possibility of including in the support eligibility criteria a requirement to regularize status with military authorities as a condition for receiving subsidies, regardless of the existing qualifying test.

Crackdown on draft dodgers:

Yeshiva student arrested in the middle of the night

A Nezer Yisrael yeshiva student was arrested overnight in Or Yehuda, as haredi leaders accuse authorities of targeting yeshiva students during sensitive Draft Law discussions.

Tzohar: Diaspora Jews must not replace Israeli army service

In response to the IDF’s plan to recruit from abroad, Tzohar stresses that Diaspora support is valuable but cannot replace Israeli citizens' duty to serve.

Beitar Illit mayor to Netanyahu:

Apply sovereignty in Judea and Samaria

In meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and local leaders, Beitar Illit Mayor Meir Rubinstein urges sovereignty over all of Israel and recognition of Torah study.

Code Black:

How haredi protesters foiled arrest of draft evader

Haredi protesters have developed a system for issuing 'emergency alerts' to gather protesters whenever military police attempt to arrest a Yeshiva student.

Arrested Yeshiva student claims abuse in custody

Meir Yona, a student at Yeshiva B’er Yehuda in Jerusalem, was released from military prison on Saturday night after spending the weekend in custody in what he claimed were inhumane conditions.

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef: 'You believe Netanyahu? He's an atheist!'

Former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef slams heads of haredi parties, questioning why they believed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's promises regarding Draft Law.

Netanyahu to haredi officers:

'No contradiction between Torah and military service'

Prime Minister Netanyahu and Minister Ben-Gvir visited the haredi Avnet Company of the Border Police, praising their enlistment as a vital union of faith and defense.