Draft Law

Budget drama

Smotrich warns: We'll dissolve the Knesset

Budget vote delayed to Wednesday due to haredi parties' demand to pass Draft Law.

Liberman sets conditions for the next government

Yisrael Beytenu chairman appeals to Eisenkot, Bennett, Golan, and Lapid, demanding they commit to a comprehensive and equal Draft Law as part of the next government’s basic guidelines.

Rabbi Lando to yeshiva students: Ignore outside 'persecution'

Speaking to yeshiva students in Bnei Brak, Rabbi Dov Lando warned of growing pressure on the haredi public and urged exclusive dedication to Torah study.

'No one will go to the army':

Recordings of haredi rabbis revealed

The haredi rabbis leading the conscription bill were heard in recordings estimating that there will be no genuine attempt to enlist the haredi community, while the suspended budgets would still be reinstated.

Chief of Staff warned: Mandatory service must be extended

IDF Chief of Staff Zamir sent a sharply worded letter to the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister, warning that delays in the Draft Law and the lack of an extension to mandatory service create an immediate risk.

Gantz reveals:

'The haredim offered me the chance to lead the government'

Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz says that over the past year, he was offered the chance to lead the government in exchange for supporting the Draft Law, but he rejected the proposal.

Goldknopf threatens:

'We may oppose the budget'

The chairman of United Torah Judaism stresses that he will act according to the guidance of the rabbis on the draft issue.

Secular reservist: Without hesder yeshivas, there's no army

Alon Malik, a non-religious infantry reservist, defends IDF's hesder track, says attempts to harm it will deal deadly blow to IDF.

Government clarifies: Majority of draft-evaders not haredim

At government discussion, data reveals around 90,000 eligible for conscription, less than half of evaders from haredi community.

Rabbi Kalmanson attacks draft law:

'A danger to Israel; Hashem will not forgive them.'

'Hashem will not forgive them, and history will not forget this injustice. The State of Israel has not yet finished dealing with its enemies - we need soldiers, says bereaved father Rabbi Benny Kalmanson on the proposed draft law.

Netanyahu breaks haredi rebellion

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaches agreement with Agudat Yisrael party, appoints MK Yisrael Eichler Deputy Communications Minister.

Haredi leaders disagree on Draft Law

Meeting between Lithuanian-haredi leaders and hasidic rebbes concludes without agreement on Draft Law position.

Draft Law:

Degel HaTorah, Agudat Yisrael hold meeting 'behind closed doors'

Critical meeting due to be held in Bnei Brak between leaders of the Lithuanian and Hasidic communities in an effort to formulate a unified position of the haredi parties on the draft law.

Rabbi Dov Lando: Don't participate in demonstrations

Rabbi Dov Lando criticized those participating in demonstrations and hinted at the actions of the extremist 'Jerusalem Faction.'

Dr. Haim Shine:

Enlisting haredim requires great patience

Attorney Dr. Haim Shine discusses the Draft Law, and crucial points for Israel's future.

Shas spokesman: Only Sephardic yeshiva students are arrested

Shas party spokesman Asher Medina says current situation is untenable, extremely dangerous for the haredi community.

Watch:

News crew attacked, security guard injured

The crew reporting on the demonstration was attacked by haredi extremists who threw stones and broke their camera. A security guard accompanying the crew was hit on the head by a rock.

Traffic chaos expected as haredi protest planned in Jerusalem

Israeli police announced major traffic closures and heavy deployment ahead of a haredi protest against the conscription bill in Jerusalem this evening.

Bennett

'Next government will repeal Draft Law on day 1'

The plan Bennett presented for reserve soldiers includes one million shekels for purchasing a home, priority in state tenders, and a free bachelor’s degree. "The Israeli pyramid is being flipped."

Rabbi Mazuz: 'I love the army!'

Rabbi Tzemach Mazuz attends event honoring yeshiva students released from military prison, says he 'loves every soldier.'

Rabbi Lando: Happy are those arrested for learning Torah

Rabbi Dov Lando leading Lithuanian-haredi rabbi, praises yeshiva students arrested for draft evasion, says Torah itself placed 'behind bars' with their arrests.

Draft Law: MK Elazar Stern’s demand

MK Elazar Stern asks the Knesset’s legal adviser to prevent haredi lawmakers from voting on the Draft Law, citing concerns about a conflict of interest.

Record enlistment to haredi IDF tracks

The IDF informed the Knesset that a record number of haredi soldiers have enlisted, with hundreds already serving in combat and support roles, as debate continues over the Defense Service Bill.

'Yellow Star For Scholars':

Haredi MK denounces sanctions on draft dodgers

MK Yitzchak Goldknopf said during a hearing on the conscription law that the sanctions provisions in it are 'a yellow star for Torah scholars', drawing an immediate uproar.

Clashes at IDF recruitment center over haredi draft

Protesters from extreme factions demonstrated today (Sunday) at the IDF Recruitment Center in Tel Hashomer against the enlistment of haredi youth into units designated for the haredi community.

Economic sanctions for yeshivas: Here's how it will work

Defense Ministry Director General to be able to impose sanctions on yeshivas if students fail to meet legal requirements for full-time Torah study.

Haredi MK:

There are more draft-dodgers in Tel Aviv than among haredim

United Torah Judaism chief MK Yitzhak Goldknopf meets 12th graders from Ulpanat Ra'aya in Beit El, answers their questions about the lack of haredi enlistment.

Petition to Supreme court against selective enforcement

Petition filed with Supreme Court notes that enforcement solely against haredim, including budget cuts for daycare subsidies and schools, constitutes collective punishment.

Haredi leader burns draft notice

Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch, leader of the Edah HaChareidis faction, burned a draft summons of a yeshiva student just released from military prison and instructed him to continue not reporting for enlistment.

IDF Admits:

Draft law does not meet IDF needs

The head of the IDF's Manpower Planning and Management Division warned at a Knesset hearing that the proposed haredi draft law does not fulfill the army's needs for the next two years.

Policeman slaps child, chokes him, and throws him to the ground

Severe clashes recorded at extremist haredi protest near Bnei Brak; footage of police officer acting violently towards young child sparks outrage online.

Draft pilot test almost launched

IDF considered recruiting thousands of children of foreign workers living in Israel. A small pilot, with Population Authority and Tel Aviv Municipality, did not materialize, due to legal, political and other considerations.

Defense Minister:

'Israel will never leave the territory of Gaza'

Minister Israel Katz assured that even after returning the Gaza Strip to Arab control, Israel will continue to hold a buffer zone inside the enclave.

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