Draft Law

Draft Law:

Who has the ability to defer yeshiva students' service?

Legal adviser warns proposed Draft Law lacks criteria for when Defense Minister may exempt yeshiva students; haredi MK slams focus on appeasing Supreme Court.

Draft Law:

Tensions rise in United Torah Judaism over draft law

Agudat Yisrael accuses Degel Hatorah of supporting sanctions on Torah students, pointing to nightly arrests of yeshiva students and insisting its actions follow guidance from Torah scholars.

This is Shas' demand from the coalition parties

Shas chief Aryeh Deri attempts to encourage support for Draft Law, demanding greater involvement on the part of Likud MKs.

Draft Law or Pardon:

When to stand firm and when to yield - Yehudah’s lesson

The eternal challenge of Jewish leadership is knowing when to stand firm and when to acknowledge reality, when to pursue the ideal and when compromise is necessary.

Reservists' families protest outside Finance Minister's home

Families of IDF reservists in Samaria hold demonstration outside Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's home in Kedumim, demanding he oppose the current Draft Law proposal.

Rabbi David Stav:

Draft law is a slap in the face for the National Religious sector

Rabbi David Stav urges the Religious Zionist party to oppose current draft law, 'I want to believe that at the last moment they will come to their senses.'

'Shame on Israel!'

Thousands of haredim protest Israeli draft in London

Thousands from several haredi communities in the British capital gathered outside the Israeli embassy to protest the conscription bill.

Rabbi Zalman Melamed:

Whoever doesn't study must enlist, that's the stance of the Torah

In an interview with Arutz Sheva, Beit El Yeshiva Dean Rabbi Zalman Melamed calls for a conscription law that does not exempt those who do not study Torah full-time.

Thousands of haredim to protest in London against draft law

Organizers estimate that thousands will participate in the protest, which aims to make the voice of Haredi Judaism in Europe heard against the enactment of the draft law in Israel.

'Negative incentive to serve'

Attorney General voices harsh opinion against conscription law

Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, calls conscription law draft 'a negative incentive for enlistment,' prompting fierce backlash from haredi leaders who accuse her of targeting Torah study.

Religious Zionist party:

No final decision made on draft exemption bill

After a tense internal meeting with senior rabbis, the party agreed to push for changes but appears ready to back the government’s draft bill despite public criticism.

Edelstein:

'Netanyahu is not truly fighting for the Draft Law'

Former Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee warns that a flawed Draft Law will harm Likud, accuses Prime Minister of lacking commitment to advancing the enlistment of haredim into the army.

Bereaved father to MKs:

‘Do the right thing, even when it’s hard’

'The world of Torah and the army are one and the same,' says bereaved father Hagai Luber to Knesset committee, urging lawmakers to promote a “real and courageous” draft law.

Draft Law:

Legal adviser warns draft exemption bill raises many concerns

Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee’s legal adviser, Miri Frankel-Shor, cautions lawmakers that the proposed draft exemption law does not meet the IDF’s operational needs.

Ofir Sofer presents: How we will recruit the haredim

Minister Ofir Sofer is unafraid to voice his positions on the Draft Law and proposes practical solutions that, in his view, could bring about the long-awaited change in the stance of the haredi public.

Draft Law: The battle for the haredi hesder track

Refusal to recognize haredi hesder yeshivas 'severe blow to equality, and clear discrimination against haredim who serve in IDF,' organization says.

After yeshiva student arrested:

Peleg Yerushalmi threatens to block roads

Sources in the Peleg Yerushalmi sect announce that they intend to hold demonstrations and block roads in protest of the arrest of an 18-year-old yeshiva student on Friday.

Leading Shas rabbi 'doesn't sleep at night' due to arrests

Rabbi Moshe Maya, leading rabbi at Shas' Council of Torah Sages, tells yeshiva student arrests are 'decree from Heaven,' as student describes conditions of imprisonment in military prisons.

MK Bismuth: 'You cannot force people to enlist in the army'

MK Boaz Bismuth, who is spearheading the newest Draft Law proposal, tells haredi news outlet that forcing people to enlist is 'nonsense,' sparking controversy.

Battle over Draft Law reaches Brooklyn

A group of extremist haredi protesters in Brooklyn demonstrated against Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, who is visiting the Borough Park neighborhood, due to his position on Israel’s Draft Law.

Prime Minister cancels announcement on Draft Law

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was supposed to deliver an initial statement of support for the Draft Law being promoted in the Knesset, but canceled it minutes before the scheduled deadline.

Minister Bezalel Smotrich:

'The law is intended for genuine conscription'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich says that the internal disagreements surrounding the Draft Law can be bridged, declaring: ‘The law is not political.'

Cabinet Secretary details the haredi conscription bill

Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs said the new conscription bill meets Gallant’s 50% draft goal and includes sweeping sanctions on eligible Haredim who refuse to enlist.

MK Woldiger clarifies:

'The goal is clear - drafting the haredim'

In an interview with Arutz Sheva-Israel National News, MK Michal Woldiger says the current Draft Law is insufficient and must undergo substantial changes: “If there is no real change, we will not vote for the law.”

Lapid sparks uproar:

'Strip voting rights from draft dodgers - but not Arabs'

Yair Lapid explains that the bill his party will advance will focus on revoking voting rights from those who received a draft order but failed to report, and will not apply to the Arab public.

Haredi party to oppose Draft Law?

Ahead of expected legislative blitz, Hamodia newspaper report raises questions about support for Draft Law proposal.

Report

Haredi parties asked MK Tibi for help on Draft Law

Representatives of the haredi factions recently approached MK Ahmed Tibi with a request that he be absent from the expected vote on the draft law - in an attempt to thwart the law's repeal

Israeli journalist:

'My son is drafting and this law is scaring me'

Israeli journalist Jacky Levy, whose son will draft this week for combat service, criticizes the wording of the Draft Law and claims discrimination, ‘Even when a non-Haredi Jew is persecuted - it is an antisemitic decree.’

Yeshiva Deans Warn:

Draft law plan could dismantle haredi Hesder track

The Association of Haredi Hesder Yeshivot warns that the draft law being formed prevents combining military service with professional or technical certificate studies, potentially eliminating the possibility of a haredi Hesder track.

Netzah Yehuda presents 5 recommendations for haredi draft

Netzah Yehuda submits proposal to Knesset Committee on responsible arrangement for drafting haredim into IDF, including several basic requirements.

Advancement of Draft Law

Boycott of haredi parties expected to end

After the presentation of the draft of the recruitment law to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ) are expected to return to voting with the coalition starting next week, thus ending the haredi boycott of votes.

Bismuth reveals: This is what the Draft Law will look like

MK Boaz Bismuth has instructed the staff of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee to distribute the full text of the new Draft Law to committee members, ahead of deliberations beginning next week.

Satmar Rebbe In Israel:

'Anyone who serves in the army is impure'

Exclusive footage from the trip the Satmar Rebbe made this week in Israel shows his texts against the state, against the IDF, and against the haredi parties, which he regards as too conciliatory.

Karliner Rebbe meets MK Bismuth to discuss Draft Law

MK Boaz Bismuth who chairs key Knesset committee, meets Karliner Rebbe ahead of renewed discussions on Draft Law.

14-year-old arrested on suspicion of assaulting MK Yoav Ben-Tzur

The 14-year-old boy, a Jerusalem resident, was taken for questioning eight days after Shas MK Yoav Ben-Tzur was attacked by haredi protesters opposing the Draft Law.

Shas party greenlights Draft Law bill

Members of Shas' Council of Torah Sages respond to complaints against party MKs, clarify that MKs are '100% subordinate to them,' and condemn protests.

Haredi party head:

No government with haredi support without Draft Law

United Torah Judaism chief MK Yitzhak Goldknopf demands Draft Law pass before elections, warns no coalition will receive haredi support until it passes.

Rare historic documents:

Army deferment only for dedicated yeshiva students

Letters from late haredi leaders Rabbi Elazar Menachem Shach and Rabbi Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman stress importance of ensuring only those truly dedicated to Torah learning receive deferments from military service.

Supreme Court rules:

State must enact punitive measures against draft evaders

The Supreme Court has ordered the state to enact criminal enforcement as well as economic sanctions against haredi draft evaders.

Coalition members oppose current version of draft bill

The Religious Zionist Party rejected the current version of the haredi draft bill, insisting it will only back legislation that truly increases military enlistment among haredim.

Degel Hatorah spiritual leaders green-light advancing Draft Bill

Rabbi Dov Lando and Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch have authorized the Degel Hatorah party to continue advancing the Draft Bill in the committee stage.

Ashdod:

Extremists protest outside Shas MK's home

Jerusalem Faction protestors demonstrate Draft Law proposal outside home of Shas MK Yinon Azoulay in Ashdod.

Leading haredi rabbi expected to greenlight Draft Law proposal

Lithuanian-haredi leader Rabbi Dov Lando expected to conditionally-approve Draft Law proposal, work togehther with Shas to support bill.

Haredi MKs to get increased security following Draft Law protests

Police increase security for two Degel Hatorah MKs following increased protests, threats to their safety.

Shas MK: 'Not certain that Draft Law will pass'

MK Michael Malkieli expresses doubt regarding potential for Draft Law to pass, stresses he will only support it if the Torah sages instruct him to.

'Rioters':

Chief Rabbi Yosef condemns attack on MK Ben-Tzur

'They are rioters cloaking themselves in false zealotry, committee of yeshiva heads appointed by the Council of Torah Sages will rule on Draft Law,' Chief Rabbi Yosef condemns attack on MK Ben-Tzur.

Shas MK attacked by haredi extremists

Dozens of haredi youths attack Shas MK Yoav Ben Tzur in Jerusalem, protesting support for Draft Law.

Rabbi Lando:

'People harassing Yeshiva students have never known Torah'

Haredi leader Rabbi Dov Lando criticized draft initiatives and called for the continued strengthening of Torah study.

Haredi newspaper editor: 'We do not belong on the Right'

'The moment working together endangers the Jewish future of Torah learners, the question will be brought to the sages; I don't know what will happen,' Yated Ne'eman editorial warns.

Haredi leader's health

Why the publication of the Draft Law Is delayed

Arutz Sheva has learned that publication of the draft conscription law formulated by MK Bismuth is delayed due to the health condition of Lithuanian haredi Leader Rabbi Dov Lando.

Opposition leaders: We will fight the Draft Law

Opposition leaders meet with Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett, declare: “We will not allow a full return of the judicial coup.”

Jerusalem:

Thousands at Eida Haharedit anti-conscription demonstration

Thousands of haredim from the Eida Haharedit and Jerusalem Faction marched in Jerusalem against the draft law, blocking streets as rabbis called for 'war' on the decree.

Leading Lithuanian-haredi rabbi grants green light to Draft Law

Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch grants approval in principle to advance legislation on Draft Law proposed by MK Boaz Bismuth.

Bill tying voting rights to military service rejected

The Knesset overwhelmingly rejects legislation seeking to bar those who do not enlist in the military from voting in national elections.

Degel Hatorah debates Draft Law as coalition hangs in the balance

Sources estimate that Shas party will support Draft Law - but only if Lithuanian-haredi leadership does as well. 'All eyes are on Lithuanian leadership in Bnei Brak.'

Rabbi Kalonski's message to Yeshiva students

The Rabbi denounced calls not to serve in the IDF as 'stupid and wicked' and called for Yeshiva students to enter the Hesder track as a minimum.

Knesset committee to advance Torah Studies Law

Ministerial Committee for Legislation to discuss recognizing Torah study as 'significant service,' parallel to cancellation of discussion on Draft Law.

Rabbi Ben Meir: Haredi public mistaken in its struggle

In an interview with Arutz Sheva, Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Meir says the Haredi public is mistaken in the way it is managing the struggle over drafting those who do not study Torah.

Amit Segal:

Haredi protest signals deep crisis, lack of viable future model

Analyst Amit Segal points to mass haredi demonstration in Jerusalem, notes 'semantic' change in Draft Law indicates deeper rift in haredi society.

The haredi rally:

The Draft Debate masks a deeper divide

Behind yesterday's haredi protests lies a choice that will define our future: will we remain anchored in Galut, or rise to the challenge of Geula with unity and responsibility?