Draft Law

Minister Arbel:

Haredim must realize: There's no moral option to continue this

Interior Min. Moshe Arbel speaks out on Draft Law, calls on haredi community to change its perspective, enlist in the IDF.

Haredim seek Supreme Court injunction against drafts during case

The 'Union of Yeshivot in Israel' submitted an urgent request for an interim order to prevent the drafting of haredim for military service until a final decision in the case regarding the haredi draft law.

How yeshiva students fooled protesters

Demonstrators near the Slabodka Yeshiva called for the dean to come out and hear their complaints about haredim not enlisting. The students made them think he had.

Haredi spiritual leader:

'Only Yeshiva students bear the burden'

Rabbi Dan Segal commented on the Supreme Court's decision regarding the non-recruitment of haredim to the IDF, arguing that only Yeshiva students truly bear the burden of defending the country.

Draft Law crisis:

Slonimer Rebbe's son requests - Lithuanian-haredi rabbi says 'no'

Lithuanian-haredi leader Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch rejects proposal for mass protest against Draft Law, warning it would fan flames, potentially bring down government.

Defense Min.: We will address Hamas brigades in Rafah 'soon'

'Hamas has ceased functioning as a military organization in most areas of Gaza, information gained from terrorists enables us to make difficult decisions,' Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says.

Minister points out:

Over 40,000 secular Israelis avoid draft every year

Following Supreme Court's decision to freeze funding for draft-age yeshiva students, MK David Amsalem points out glaring double standard.

Haredi rabbi proposes solution to yeshiva budget cuts

Rabbi Dov Landa calls on haredim abroad to help support yeshivas, following warnings of impending budget cuts to haredi yeshivas in Israel.

A pro-Jewish look at the Haredi draft issue: Not black and white

The idea that all Jews are brothers, no matter what, is a basic, shared value in the one and only Jewish State, and everything that happens in it, controversies about haredi draft included, must rest on that truth. Opinion.

Anti-government activists protest in haredi neighborhood

Protesters from the Brothers in Arms protest group gathered in the Mea Shearim neighborhood in Jerusalem to call for the enlistment of haredim in the IDF.

Attorney General to government:

‘Take steps to recruit haredim; do not compensate yeshivas’

In a letter to the Ministries of Defense and Education Attorney General instructs government to start recruiting haredim and prohibits compensating yeshivas in any way.

IDF considering civilian service for haredi students

A proposed program would see a separate academy established to train haredi students to secure towns in Judea and Samaria.

Gideon Sa'ar:

War Cabinet seat for supporting haredi draft law

MK Sa'ar claims that he was offered a seat in the war cabinet in exchange for supporting the new haredi draft law.

Interim order:

Supreme Court freezes funds to haredim eligible for enlistment

Supreme Court freezes support for yeshiva students eligible for enlistment, claims it issued order 'in light of Attorney General's position.'

Haredi MK:

'Without Torah learners, we have no right to exist in this land'

MK Moshe Gafni praises soldiers, prays they return home safely; notes that without Torah, the Jewish people have no future.

Attorney General:

Prepare to begin drafting haredim on April 1st

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara submitted her answer to the Supreme Court regarding the draft law, saying that since the law has expired, nothing prevents the enlistment of yeshiva students.

A-G to Supreme Court:

'Yeshiva students should be drafted to the army'

Attorney General provides response to Supreme Court contrary to the government's position, says preparations must be made immediately to draft yeshiva students and end the funding for those who do not enlist.

Porat Yosef Yeshiva head:

'Even students who don't learn full-time shouldn't serve in IDF'

Rabbi Moshe Tzadka says protection and safety of IDF soldiers depends on the learning of haredi yeshiva students, even those who don't learn full-time.

Minister reveals:

Number of haredim in civil service has increased

Settlement Minister Orit Strock speaks up on Draft Law, says number of haredim in civil service roles has increased.

Draft law:

Haredi party threatens to leave government

Sources negotiating the Draft Law said on Wednesday evening that United Torah Judaism had raised the threat of secession and demanded the removal of the threat of economic sanctions and quotas.

Likud MK:

'Draft law must go through us'

Yuli Edelstein, Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chair, warns: 'Any attempt to circumvent the Knesset regulations and prevent the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee from handling the draft law will meet an appropriate response.'

Haredi basic training camp:

Special IDF plan for recruiting Haredim

A senior IDF officer notes that the special corps planned for the haredim in the army are not yet full, and says that an accelerated Haredi recruitment program 'will require concessions from the secular society.'

Gallant won't support Draft Law

Defense Minister reiterates he will not support any Draft Law that does not have the support of all parties in the government as bill set to be presented this week.

New draft law to contain 'negative incentives'

In a break with several years of obstinence on the subject, the haredi parties have agreed to a law that would impose economic penalties on haredim who avoid army service.

Gallows in hand

Boys in anti-draft costumes raise controversy

Students of a Satmar elementary school marched in Jerusalem in shirts with the slogan: 'Enlistment or the gallows? Our answer is the gallows,' while carrying miniature gallows complete with a noose.

MK Moshe Saada:

Sa'ar demand justified. War Cabinet must be diverse

MK Moshe Saada is pleased with Minister Gideon Sa'ar's resignation from the National Unity party and believes it is possible to reach an agreement on a new draft law that will also include the Arabs.

Lithuanian-haredi leadership discusses Draft Law

MKs Uri Maklev, Yakov Asher, present Draft Law proposal to Lithuanian-haredi leadership, receive their feedback.

After the uproar:

Sephardi Chief Rabbi explains himself

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, Sephardic Chief Rabbi, clarifies: Comments were directed against the recruitment of those engaged in Torah learning, those who do not study 'absolutely forbidden from finding excuses not to serve.'

More than 80% Israeli Jews: Cancel IDF exemption

Despite Israel's Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef’s warning, 74% of haredi Jews say that even if they had the option of emigrating from Israel, they would not do so.

Hesder Yeshiva Head:

'Torah scholars must join compulsory war'

Rav Yitzchak Sheilat believes that Torah scholars should go to war when it is a compulsory war and argued that they are not the tribe of Levi, as Rav Yitzchak Yosef claimed.

Poll:

70% of Israelis call for change to haredi draft law

A new poll shows that only in haredi society does the majority still believe that the existing draft exemption can continue.

Chief Rabbi:

'If they force us to enlist, we will leave Israel'

Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef drew a wave of controversy when he stated that under no circumstances should the government force yeshiva students to serve in the IDF.

Rabbi David Stav:

'Free the yeshiva students from the politicians'

The head of the Tzohar Rabbinical organization proposes a novel approach to the issue of haredim drafting into the IDF.

Haredi parties set conditions for Draft Law

Haredi parties support enlistment of haredim who are not studying in yeshiva, insist each individual be allowed to choose whether or not to remain in yeshiva.

Nahal Haredi founder:

‘Find an amicable way to recruit haredim’

Brigadier General (res.) Yehuda Duvdevani: ‘Whoever isn’t studying, someone should put a hand on their shoulder and tell them to go do something good for the IDF.’

MK Liberman:

Strip draft dodgers of daycare subsidies

MK Avigdor Liberman says he will submit a bill to strip yeshiva students who do not do mandatory service of multiple rights and benefits, including the ability to leave Israel or receive daycare subsidies for their children.

Council of Torah Sages:

‘No one can abandon the Torah’

The eldest member of the Council of Torah Sages, Rabbi Bergman, clarified that he objects to any legislation that will force yeshiva students to recruit to the IDF.

Ben Gvir:

'We are going back to the same misconception'

National Security Min. Itamar Ben Gvir tells Arutz Sheva: 'Prime Minister is nearing the moment when he will have to make a decision, whether he is following Gantz's path or that of Otzma Yehudit.'

Haredi extremists block Route 4 protest conscription

Dozens of haredi extremists blocked Highway 4 to protest the intention to recruit haredim to the IDF: 'We will die and we will not enlist.'

Gallant to critics:

'Sorry to disappoint, I'm staying in Likud'

Defense Minister responds to criticism of his support for Gantz on the Draft Law issue, calls on politicians to 'learn from the soldiers' and stop attacking each other.

Regev: 'Gallant's demand was a mistake'

Transportation Minister Miri Regev criticized Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for demanding that the Draft Law be supported by all members of the emergency government.

Likud MK:

'Why do we not talk about drafting Arabs?'

MK Amit Halevi points out 'the elephant in the room' regarding calls for haredim to enlist.

MK Matan Kahana:

'Haredim have a chance to solve a years-long problem

'Since October 7, question of enlistment is no longer a social question, but an existential one,' MK Matan Kahana says.

Government considering replacing AG for draft case

Cabinet ministers say that they will not use the Attorney General as legal counsel in the Supreme Court if she does not change her opinion on the haredi Draft Law.

Defense Minister:

'All must bear burden of service, including haredim'

Defense Minister Gallant says he will not support Draft Law unless Gantz also supports it, says victory in the war requires all parts of society to share the burden of service.

Supreme Court to State:

Explain: Why not enlist yeshiva students?

Supreme Court justices demand State explain why yeshiva students should not enlist, freezes reduction of military service for haredim.

Gantz presents plan for haredi draft

The new 'Israeli service law' will require nearly universal conscription, while opening numerous new destinations for enlisted youth.

Hundreds protest in Jerusalem for 'equal draft'

Parallel to Supreme Court hearing, hundreds protest in favor of drafting haredim; haredi groups hold counter-protest insisting, 'I will not draft to an army of Torah destruction.'

Gallant's message that angered Netanyahu

Defense Minister reportedly says he will support whatever Benny Gantz supports on the issue of haredi conscription.

Likud members reject proposed Draft Law

Multiple figures from the Likud party wrote to the Prime Minister demanding that the Draft Law be temporary, until a more equal arrangement can be reached.

Religious Zionist MK:

'Haredim shouldn't apologize for Torah study'

MK Tzvi Succot says that the subsidies for Torah study are a positive thing, but that haredim should still enlist in the IDF.

Haredi rabbis denounce journalists who praise soldiers

A strongly worded letter to the haredi community attacks journalists who praise soldiers and encourage IDF service for men and women.

Rabbis endorse initiative to bolster security in haredi cities

Social activist Evyatar Elbaz promoting enlistment of haredi individuals, also calling for increase of security measures in haredi cities.

Message to Netanyahu:

UTJ minister: If the Draft Law isn't approved, I will resign

Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf in interview: As soon as the Draft Law is not passed, I will resign.

Haredi minister threatens:

Judicial reform won't advance until Draft Law passes

Min. Yitzhak Goldknopf, head of United Torah Judaism, warns, 'Netanyahu made a commitment to pass Draft Law - he needs to fulfill it.'

Shas chief breaks his silence:

Draft Law to be coordinated with IDF

Shas chief Aryeh Deri breaks his silence and talks about the Draft Law. 'We can work quietly and achieve a good outcome.'

'Jerusalem Faction' activists clash with police

Haredi movement protests arrest of student who failed to report to recruitment center to receive his IDF deferment.

Yeshiva student arrested, haredim threaten protests

The Jerusalem Faction is threatening to launch massive protests after a student at the Ponovitz Yeshiva was arrested for desertion.

Coalition sources: Opposing Draft Law may bring down government

Coalition sources warn that opposition to the Draft Law is greater than it seems, even within the coalition itself.

Goldknopf:

'No judicial reform without Draft Law'

UTJ head says govt. may collapse if the Draft Law exempting yeshiva students from IDF service is not passed.