Draft Law

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?

Man falls to his death in Jerusalem at anti-conscription rally

Massive rally against haredi conscription in the capital turned deadly when a 20-year-old fell from a height at a construction site. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

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.

Watch:

Haredi demonstrators attack reporter in Jerusalem

Participants at the anti-conscription rally in Jerusalem threw water bottles at Channel 12 reporter Inbar Twizer and her camera crew live on air.

Jerusalem rally:

Rabbi Zini bans participation in rally, warns of national harm

Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu Zini strongly prohibits participation in haredi protest against the Draft Law, warning it 'stabs IDF soldiers in the back,' will cause lasting harm to the nation and Torah.

March Of The Million:

Route 1 blocked, massive crowding at train stations

Thousands are packed into train cars and stations are filled to capacity with haredi demonstrators. Police are on high alert as the protest carries on.

Minister Eliyahu:

ZAKA service as vital as combat, laws won’t solve draft crisis

Otzma Yehudit's Minister Amichai Eliyahu criticizes Draft Law debate, calls for education over coercion.

Hostages Families Forum sends warning to haredi protest group

Hostages Families Forum sends cease and desist warning to Ateret Shlomo Yeshiva in Beit Shemesh, claiming 'cynical, degrading, and unlawful use' of symbols of fight for hostages' return.

'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.