Draft Law

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.

Special induction day:

Dozens of Haredim enlist in IDF

Dozens of young Haredim reported to the Tel Hashomer induction center, joining the Netzach Yehuda Battalion, Hashmonaim Brigade, Paratroopers, Givati and Border Police.

Netanyahu’s message to the haredi parties

Prime Minister urges coalition partners to rejoin, citing existential threats and the importance of unity: "There’s no substitute for this government."

'Military police at the door? Get up and fight them'

Former Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef reassures yeshiva students that military police do not come to yeshivas, urges listeners to 'get up and fight them' if they make a home visit.

Leading rabbi: 'They're twisting my words'

Close aides of Rabbi Yitzhak Zilberstein condemn misrepresentation of his statements on 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.'

National service enrollment reopens for haredi youth

National Service registration reopens for haredi youth, months after the program was halted; hundreds already serving in key security and emergency roles.

Likud MK:

'Knowing English doesn't make you fit to be Prime Minister'

MK Nissim Vaturi of Likud dismissed former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen's political ambitions this morning, saying he was unfit to lead Israel.

Supreme Court rejects bid to cancel haredi draft notices

The Supreme Court yesterday rejected a petition to cancel enlistment orders sent to about 5,500 yeshiva students, ruling the petition irrelevant after the IDF said it no longer uses National Insurance data.

Leading rabbi clarifies: I did not say to leave Israel on Shabbat

Rabbi Yitzhak Zilberstein, a leading haredi figure, clarifies remarks on bans on Torah study, stressing that instruction to desecrate Shabbat does not apply in Israel, where the government allows Torah study. 'Anyone not learning - should enlist in a haredi unit.'

Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir:

We cannot accept a situation where not everyone enlists

During a tour to Gaza, Chief of Staff LTG Eyal Zamir praised reservists’ contributions and emphasized Israel’s multi-front efforts, calls on all sectors of society to share the burden for the nation’s security.

Haredi MK warns of violence over haredi draft

The Beitar Illit city council held a special session in MK Porush's protest tent beneath the Justice Ministry to protest attempts to draft haredim by force.

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef: 'I'm not against IDF soldiers'

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, former Sephardic Chief Rabbi, says he did not speak against IDF soldiers, intended only to strengthen Torah study.

AG rejects petition to sanction Arabs for not serving in IDF

Bnei Brak resident petitions to impose academic and financial sanctions on Arab citizens of draft age, Attorney General’s Office dismisses request.

Leading rabbi: 'We are suffering great troubles'

Ahead of Elul term and following recent arrests, Rabbi Yitzhak Zilberstein calls on haredi yeshiva students to learn Torah constantly and avoid idle talk.

Haredi protests intensify, demonstrations and fast day planned

Haredi groups plan fresh protests against the detention of draft evaders, alongside a public fast and prayer later this week, while Tzohar’s Rabbi David Stav condemns refusal to serve as a 'disgrace of Hashem’s name.'

Haredi protesters block major roads in central Israel

Protests erupt in the Sharon area against draft dodgers' arrests, causing massive traffic jams.

Deputy AGs

Deny daycare subsidies to haredim who work as well

Deputy Attorneys General propose examining the possibility of including in the support eligibility criteria a requirement to regularize status with military authorities as a condition for receiving subsidies, regardless of the existing qualifying test.

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.

Tzohar: Diaspora Jews must not replace Israeli army service

In response to the IDF’s plan to recruit from abroad, Tzohar stresses that Diaspora support is valuable but cannot replace Israeli citizens' duty to serve.

Beitar Illit mayor to Netanyahu:

Apply sovereignty in Judea and Samaria

In meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and local leaders, Beitar Illit Mayor Meir Rubinstein urges sovereignty over all of Israel and recognition of Torah study.

Code Black:

How haredi protesters foiled arrest of draft evader

Haredi protesters have developed a system for issuing 'emergency alerts' to gather protesters whenever military police attempt to arrest a Yeshiva student.

Arrested Yeshiva student claims abuse in custody

Meir Yona, a student at Yeshiva B’er Yehuda in Jerusalem, was released from military prison on Saturday night after spending the weekend in custody in what he claimed were inhumane conditions.

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef: 'You believe Netanyahu? He's an atheist!'

Former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef slams heads of haredi parties, questioning why they believed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's promises regarding Draft Law.

Netanyahu to haredi officers:

'No contradiction between Torah and military service'

Prime Minister Netanyahu and Minister Ben-Gvir visited the haredi Avnet Company of the Border Police, praising their enlistment as a vital union of faith and defense.

The haredi draft exemption issue:

A fair solution

The writer's proposed solution does away with locking up haredim who refuse to serve and also avoids punishing the yeshivas. Opinion.

The haredi draft exemption issue:

The haredi war that should never be fought

A war on the State of Israel is a war on its citizens: the Jewish people. And that’s a battle no Torah elite should ever fight. Opinion.

Shas: Deri didn't call for draft evasion

Shas party denies Aryeh Deri called for draft evasion, calling it 'false libel,' says remarks were aimed at encouraging Torah students.

Emergency conference: 'We're protecting our very souls'

Dozens of representatives from haredi yeshivas and communities gather in Jerusalem to found help center for arrested yeshiva students.

Haredi leader turns to US Jews with unusual request

Rabbi Dov Lando tells visiting Jewish delegation his vision for American Jews' role in battle against haredi conscription, promising 'big role' and clear instructions later on. 'It will be in stages.'

IDF investigating:

Who allowed haredi rabbis to visit jailed draft dodgers?

IDF faces backlash after allowing senior haredi rabbis to visit jailed draft dodgers, pledges tighter enforcement of prison visitation rules.

Bennett on Deri's remarks: 'Like a knife in the heart'

Bennett blasted Shas leader Aryeh Deri for urging haredi students not to enlist during wartime, warning the remarks undermine IDF morale and unity.

MK Porush to Arutz Sheva:

'Haredim and secular Jews getting closer to a civil war'

MK Meir Porush accuses Attorney General of inspiring tensions between Israel's haredi and general populations.

Haredi leader visits yeshiva students held in military prison

Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch visits yeshiva students in Military Prison, accompanied by leading Shas party rabbis.

Haredi leader ramps up pressure:

Rabbi Dov Lando pushing economic moves to harm Israel

Rabbi Dov Lando leads initiative for several haredi factions to withdraw investment funds from Israel in protest of the arrest of yeshiva students who refuse to enlist.

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 newspaper criticizes Netanyahu: 'Stop, you have no right'

A scathing article in Hamevaser calls on Prime Minister Netanyahu to halt military operation in Gaza, claiming State has no spiritual mandate to fight while persecuting Torah scholars.

MK Porush launches hunger strike against arrest of draft dodgers

Member of Knesset Meir Porush began a protest on Thursday morning outside the office of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara at the Ministry of Justice in Jerusalem.

Haredi newspaper's front page announces 'war'

Yated Ne'eman headlines with the word 'War' following acts of enforcement against yeshiva students who refuse conscription, accuses Attorney General of attempting to create irreversible clash between State and haredi community.

Knesset to go on recess, delaying Draft Law again

Knesset staff will go on recess for the last two weeks of August, causing further delays to the Draft Law and increasing frustration among haredi Knesset members.

'Declaration of war'

Emergency meeting held at home of haredi leader

Rabbi Dov Lando convenes emergency meeting in Bnei Brak over detention of yeshiva students, accusing the State of waging a 'war on Torah students.'

New battalion established in IDF Rescue Brigade

The IDF has officially launched a fifth battalion within its Rescue Brigade on Wednesday, in response to a significant increase in enlistment motivation following Operation Rising Lion.

Haredi Yeshivot fear rising enlistment rates among their students

Haredi leadership believes that any students enlisting could mean a crack in the traditional stance against service in the IDF.

MK Illouz:

'Those who learn Torah should be first to serve in the IDF'

In a wide-ranging interview, MK Dan Illouz calls for expanding IDF enlistment to include haredi youth, warns of political consequences if soldiers are ignored, and urges full victory in Gaza.