Draft Evaders

Troops punished after missing memorial because of haredi protest

Three soldiers disciplined after arriving late to a memorial due to roadblocks from a haredi protest, sparking criticism from families.

Extremist haredi rioters block entrance to Jerusalem

Jerusalem Faction demonstrators block entrance to Jerusalem to protest arrest of draft dodger. Police working to disperse them using water cannon.

Protests, roadblocks, clashes following arrest of draft evaders

Hundreds of Jerusalem Faction activists block Highway 4 near Bnei Brak in protest against the renewed arrests of draft evaders from military service.

Man arriving with wife's coffin arrested for draft evasion

Yosef Haim Shriki, whose wife passed away on Passover, is detained upon arrival in Israel on suspicion of draft evasion.

Protests to reignite?

Haredi yeshiva student arrested in Be'er Sheva

Daniel Pinto, a 28-year-old haredi yeshiva student from Be'er Sheva, was arrested, brought before an officer at Military Prison 10, and was sentenced to three days' detention.

Will protests restart after draft-evader arrest?

Ariel Koren, student at the Chabad-Lubavitch yeshiva in Tel Aviv, arrested for draft-evasion.

IDF apologizes to haredi draft dodger: "An exceptional case"

The IDF issued an apology to a haredi draft dodger who was arrested and prevented from wearing tefillin for several hours.

After arrest of draft dodgers

Haredi protesters block Highway 4

Hundreds of disorderly demonstrators blocked Highway 4 in the area between the Alluf to Sdeh interchange and the Em HaMoshavot interchange. The police on the scene and clashed with the protesters

'Don't talk about haredim when you didn't serve'

“The Patriots" host Yinon Magal criticized calls for enlistment coming from the Religious Zionist public. “There are hesder students who don’t do full military service-don’t talk about the Haredim.

Wearing a hat and suit:

This is how a haredi draft dodger escaped arrest

Yeshiva students foil military police arrest in Jerusalem’s Gilo, helping draft-dodger escape amid fears of unrest.

Number of draft-dodgers rises, data reveals

Number of draft-dodgers rose from 13,000 to 68,000 in just two years, IDF official says.

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.

After arrest of draft dodger

Jerusalem Faction blocks roads in central Israel for hours

Members of the Jerusalem Faction protested near Bnei Brak over the arrest of haredi men who did not report for military service, prompting road closures and heavy traffic across Gush Dan.

NIS 1,000 a day:

Cash grants awarded to draft dodgers released from detention

Amid controversy over the draft law, financial grants have been distributed to draft dodgers recently released from detention, with payments reaching tens of thousands of shekels.

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.

Watch:

Thousands of haredim protest IDF conscription

Tens of thousands gathered in Jerusalem for a mass rally protesting the arrests of haredi draft evaders, declaring loyalty to Torah study and denouncing the government.

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.

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.

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.

Two soldiers injured

Violent protest: Haredim riot, free detained draft dodger

Dozens of haredim protest outside Prison 10, block a van carrying detained draft dodgers, and manage to free one of them despite a heavy police presence. Two soldiers lightly injured.

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.

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.'

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.

Draft dodgers' last chance

IDF launches 'Starting Over' campaign

For 5 days, draft dodgers and deserters can report to recruitment offices and enlist for full military service—without facing any disciplinary or criminal action.

Haredim protest, clash with police in central Israel & Jerusalem

Jerusalem Faction protestors block Route 4 to protest the arrests of draft dodgers, throw rocks, and call police 'Nazis.'

'Haredi Jewry is behind you'

Senior haredi leader visits draft dodgers in prison

The 95-year-old leader of the Lithuanian Haredi community visits detainees in Beit Lid Prison, offering encouragement and reinforcing haredi Jewry's backing.

Haredi official

'This is the most difficult period for the haredi community'

Amidst military police raids on haredi strongholds in an attempt to arrest yeshiva students who are draft dodgers, a senior haredi official claims that this is the most challenging time for his community.

Widespread protests follow arrest of draft dodger

Radical haredi factions block major highways nationwide to protest arrests of draft dodgers; violent clashes erupt with police and motorists.

IDF reveals plans to increase arrests of draft dodgers

IDF intensifies crackdown on deserters with tripled forces at ports of exit and new proactive enforcement units to boost detentions and deter draft evasion.

IDF to launch sweeping enforcement operation in haredi cities

As part of the new plan, control and security checkpoints will be set up at entry points to major Haredi cities, aiming to identify and arrest youths avoiding military service.

Ben Gurion Airport

Two yeshiva students arrested for draft dodging

Two yeshiva students who failed to report to the IDF recruitment office were arrested at Ben Gurion Airport while attempting to leave the country.

Following arrest of draft dodger

Jerusalem Faction blocks Bnei Brak area roads

Demonstrators arrived at Jabotinsky Road, which runs between Petah Tikva and Tel Aviv, and the Coca-Cola Junction on Route 4, and blocked the roads in both directions.

Bennett:

'Don't pass budget allowing draft evasion during war'

Former PM calls on govt. not to pass budget allowing part of the country to avoid military service right after combat operations in Gaza resumed. 'Only when united can we win.'

Attorney General demands sanctions against draft dodgers

Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara contacted the Legal Advisor of the Defense Minister and demanded the advancement of personal sanctions against draft dodgers.

Haredim block main road after arrest of non-haredi draft dodger

Radical haredim from the Jerusalem Faction blocked Route 4 near Bnei Brak after police arrested a non-haredi draft dodger at Ben Gurion airport.

Finance Min. calls for personal sanctions on haredi draft dodgers

The Ministry of Finance Budget Division announced that it is seeking tougher penalties against draft dodgers as only 1 in 6 haredim who received draft notices reported for duty.

Rabbi Yaakov Meidan:

'Strive for equality, haredi society is alienated'

Rabbi Yaakov Meidan, dean of Yeshivat Har Etzion, criticizes evasion of IDF service. 'The burden is unbearable; rabbis should give students the choice if to serve.'

IDF to initiate criminal proceedings against haredi draft dodgers

IDF spokesperson says haredi men who receive draft notices and fail to report to their recruitment offices will be subject to criminal penalties.

IDF draft:

By 2050, just 41% of youth will enlist

This 41% will consist of 99 thousand people, as opposed to just 67 thousand today.

Haredi draft dodger disappears after hospital visit

Yeshiva student arrested for draft dodging missing after hospital visit.

Draft evader window of opportunity

Army evaders and deserters abroad may enter Israel, report to base without criminal prosecution during holiday period.

Two detained for allegedly hanging soldier effigies

Two residents of Jerusalem in their forties are being questioned at Lev Ha'ir police station on suspicion of incitement to draft evasion.

Outrage as Arab MK rallies for draft dodgers

MK Aida Touma Sliman takes part in draft dodgers' rally. MK Oded Forer urges A-G to open a criminal investigation.

Man charged with throwing garbage bag and injuring soldier

Beit Shemesh resident charged with throwing object at vehicle while crowd gathered around IDF soldier caught in haredi neighborhood.

Israeli teens were paid by a US NGO to write anti-draft letter

Students respond to extreme-left draft-dodgers

High schoolers respond to draft dodgers with letter praising IDF service. 'Our lives depend of the IDF. Draft-dodging is hypocrisy.'

Anti-draft protesters shut down Jerusalem roads, train service

Demonstrators from extremist Jerusalem Faction block major intersection, light rail, protesting arrest of draft dodgers.

Army Radio to stop granting airtime to draft evaders

Army Radio's new commander announces slew of changes, including ban on songs by artists who didn't serve in the IDF.

Conscientious objector jailed for 30 days

Noa Gur Golan refuses to enlist in the IDF, claiming that 'we need to lower the level of violence.' The IDF put her in prison for 30 days.

The week that was and reader's comments

'All religious/traditional Jews must add their voices to demand change from MKs...in how a truly Jewish Military Force should act.'

Investigation follows incitement against haredi recruiter

Investigation opened following leafleting at several locations in IDF haredi recruitment chief's Petah Tikva neighborhood.

'Stay off the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway tonight''

Extremist haredi faction warns travelers to stay off Route 1, blocks roads in Jerusalem in protest against detention of draft dodgers.

Haredi anti-draft activists: The Torah tells us to protest

Extremist haredi faction calls fight against detention of draft dodgers 'war against Amalek.'

Airport nightmare: Bureaucratic error lands haredi woman in jail

On way to vacation abroad, young haredi woman arrested at airport, sent to jail - all because of a simple bureaucratic mistake.

Ratified: Draft-Dodgers Ineligible for State Scholarships

'Draft Dodgers' Law' passes on Knesset plenum, will revoke eligibility for students who evaded IDF service for ideological reasons.

Knesset Reportedly Stalling on Law against Female Draft Evaders

Secularist NGO says 'burial' of the law by MK Yariv Levin is 'a disgusting act of defrauding the public.'

Hareidi Leader: We Will Continue to Fight the Draft Law

Hareidim will continue to evade army service, says leader of the hareidi struggle against the new draft law.