Draft Law

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.'

'Government will remain stable'

Degel Hatorah rejects Deri and Smotrich's threats

Despite threats of elections if draft law is not passed within two months, Deputy Minister Uri Maklev says the government has overcome many challenges and will remain stable.

IDF to issue 14,000 draft notices to haredim

Despite recent protests and threats from haredi parties to the rest of the coalition, the IDF is planning to double the amount of draft notices sent to haredim in the near future.

Smotrich threatens: 'We'll dissolve the Knesset'

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich tells haredi parties he won't compromise on Draft Law, says he has no problem 'passing the budget and dissolving the Knesset.'

Haredi parties warn Smotrich: You'll bring down the government

Haredi party leaders slam Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, warn that if he brings down the Draft Law, the government will fall.

MK Evgeny Sova to Arutz Sheva:

'IDF should prepare for a law which drafts everyone'

MK Evgenny Sova speaks to Arutz Sheva-Israel News about what he heard from the Chief of Staff during a meeting of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, and about the need to promote a law that drafts everyone into the army.

Deri's ultimatum:

'If there is no agreement on draft law, we will go for elections'

Shas Chairman, MK Aryeh Deri, gave the coalition a two-month ultimatum to finalize details of the draft law, otherwise 'we will go for elections.'

Jerusalem:

Haredi extremists block road to protest honoring haredi soldiers

Demonstrators throw stones and use pepper spray against police during protest against an event honoring haredi IDF soldiers at the venue.

Education Committee Chair:

'My son was summoned to the IDF, he will study Torah in jail'

MK Yossi Taieb (Shas) says his son received a draft notice and stressed that if the rabbis instruct him to be arrested - then that is what he'll do.

Edelstein announces:

'The committee I head will produce a true draft law'

Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Yuli Edelstein, met with IDF soldiers and promised to push the draft law, 'I am leading the draft law for our combat soldiers.'

Haredi MKs:

'Wake up, you invented the draft quotas'

A heated discussion took place today at the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee regarding the haredi draft law.

Likud MK bashes haredi votes on hostage deal

MK Moshe Saada denounced the haredi ministers for leaving their votes on the hostage deal in writing rather than attend the cabinet meeting on Shabbat.

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.

'Nazi, go die in Gaza'

Haredi extremists riot outside IDF recruitment center

Police working to restore order after extremist haredim began rioting and blocking roads outside the Tel Hashomer Recruitment Center in central Israel.

Unacceptable!

Haredi press against impending draft law

Haredi newspapers criticize Defense Minister Katz on draft law outline: 'Empires and kingdoms stronger than the current government in Israel have not succeeded in preventing Jews from studying Torah.'

Defense Minister Katz:

'New law to include personal sanctions on draft dodgers'

Defense Minister Israel Katz today laid out the key points of the proposed haredi draft law, among them a list of economic penalties for failure to meet enlistment goals.

Bereaved mother marches for equal draft law

The mother of fallen soldier Saadia Yaakov Dery is marching from Mt. Herzl to the Knesset to demand equal service for all.

Haredi parties' ultimatum on Sa'ar-Levin judicial reform deal

The haredi political parties announced that they will only support the full judicial reform deal reached by the Foreign and Justice Ministers if the Draft Law enshrining haredi exemptions from military service is passed.

'Murderer of souls'

IDF general attacked in Bnei Brak restaurant, police intervene

Police had to intervene when a mob of haredi extremists attacked Maj. Gen. David Zini, who works to enlist haredim, as he sat in a restaurant in Bnei Brak.

Anti-conscription demonstrators block highway in central Israel

Members of the radical-haredi Jerusalem Faction blocked Route 4 near Bnei Brak to protest legislation to conscript IDF soldiers into the IDF.

Deputy Knesset Speaker:

'Everyone must serve, it's not about haredim'

MK Evgeny Sova criticizes the broad conscription law, labeling it as a 'draft evasion law' that disrespects soldiers and is irrelevant in light of the war.

UTJ Leader:

'Netanyahu knows that government will collapse without draft law'

UTJ leader Moshe Gafni commented that the coalition will collapse if legislation is not passed to resolve the issue of Yeshiva students and IDF service.

50 haredim enlist in the ‘Hahashmonaim’ Brigade

Approximately 50 recruits enlisted to the haredi ‘Hahashmonaim’ Brigade and will form the core of its first company.

Shas chief: Only the messiah can resolve Draft Law argument

Shas chief Aryeh Deri visits leading haredi rabbi, says Draft Law discussions are 'all talk.' 'We need to focus on Moshiach.'

Defense Minister rejects predecessor's statements on Draft Law

'No place for cynical and political use of a matter as ethical as enlistment in the IDF,' Defense Minister Israel Katz says, slamming former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Haredi leader:

'Only Torah learning protects the Land from the Arabs'

Rabbi Dov Lando, leading Lithuanian-haredi rabbi, asks why the Land of Israel has yet to 'vomit' its inhabitants, credits protection from Arabs to Torah learning.

Poll:

Most Religious Zionists support haredi draft

A large majority - 72.5% - of Religious Zionists support some type of haredi draft; just 20% of haredim say agreement must be reached on Draft Law.

Minister Regev:

'There is no better government than this'

Transportation Minister Miri Regev urges haredi parties not to resign from the coalition, despite the lack of progress in passing the Draft Law: There is no better government than this, especially for the haredi public.

Haredi party warns:

'We're closer to elections than to a Draft Law'

Hasidic-haredi Agudat Yisrael faction warns that the Draft Law in its current format may bring about the end of the government.

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef:

Free terrorists in exchange for hostages - we must do everything

Former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef supports freeing hostages in exchange for dangerous convicted terrorists, claims his words on drafting haredi yeshiva students were misunderstood.

Yesh Atid MK:

'The haredim tricked me - it's time for sanctions'

MK Moshe (Kinley) Tur-Paz says he made great efforts for discourse on Draft Law, claims haredim 'tricked' him. 'It's time for sanctions - they will all enlist.'

Moving:

Haredi Border Police officers light the menorah

A festive candle-lighting ceremony was held for the first haredi Border Police officers who were drafted a few months ago.

Haredim block Bnei Brak streets to protest draft

Dozens of haredi protesters are blocking Jabotinsky Street in Bnei Brak in protest against draft notices sent to young haredi men.

Liberman:

'I'll join coalition if there is universal conscription'

Yisrael Beyteny chairman details his conditions for joining the coalition, says Netanyahu may quietly make agreements on a Palestinian state and catch coalition members off guard.

Defense Minister:

Vast majority will support a deal, we're closer than ever

Defense Minister Israel Katz confirms prisoner swap deal with Hamas 'closer than ever,' stresses that 'it's better to speak less.'

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef:

'Even those who don't study Torah shouldn't enlist'

The former chief rabbi claimed that even those who are not yeshiva students should avoid military service. The Prime Minister's Office condemned the statement.

Content of the Divine Revelation

All Divine revelations to the patriarchs dealt with establishing the people of Israel – that they would multiply, inherit the Land, and bring blessing to all peoples. Blessed are the soldiers fighting with self-sacrifice and defending the people and the Land. The Levites and priests participated in Israel’s wars.

Haredi MK hints: We won't leave the coalition

Following reports that haredi parties will offer ultimatum to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, haredi party leader MK Moshe Gafni clarifies: 'Goal of our opponents is to harm Torah learners, push us to leave coalition.'

The new threat from haredi parties against Netanyahu

Mishpacha newspaper reports that the haredi parties plan to submit two bills together - the Draft Law and, alongside it, a law to dissolve the Knesset.

First haredi Air Force ground technical crew formed

Haredi soldiers certified as first-level technicians on F-16 fighter jets to serve at Air Force operational center.

AG demands Draft Law include cap on number of yeshiva students

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara is demanding that any Draft Law include a limit on the number of yeshiva students exempted from army service, report says. 'She knows we won't agree, she's trying to bring down the government.'

Nir Barkat:

Incentives for haredim who enlist, sanctions on those who refuse

Likud minister says October 7 proved there is no avoiding the conscription of haredi men to the IDF, but it must be done with sensitivity and avoid causing fear of 'secularization.'

'We'll force a halt'

Haredi MKs oppose advancing judicial reform

Faction leaders from the United Torah Judaism party say they won't allow the judicial reform to proceed unless the Draft Law is passed.

Rabbi Yosef to Gerrer Rebbe:

'I worry about the fate of Sephardic youth'

Former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef expresses to the Gerrer Rebbe concern for Sephardic-haredi youth in Israel's periphery, who he says are likely to be drafted into the IDF first.

'They'll fight the wars of G-d'

Attorney warns against drafting haredim

Attorney Yair Nehorai, who waged legal battle against the pre-military academy in Eli, warns against drafting haredim: 'The face of the IDF will change because more and more units will fight the wars of G-d.'

Rabbi to haredi draft recipients:

'You can be defectors; it's a mitzvah'

Haredi leader, Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, to draft recipients: 'You are upholding the Land of Israel. You can be defectors; it's a mitzvah'

Defense Minister Katz approves 7,000 draft orders for haredim

Defense Minister Israel Katz approves 7,000 draft orders decided upon by predecessor Yoav Gallant; the orders will be sent out at a pace decided by the IDF.

Attorney General:

'Send 7,000 draft orders to haredim'

Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, writes that 'the security establishment's plan to send 7,000 draft orders to haredim starting Sunday must be implemented immediately.'

Mother of reservist:

'No longer possible to accept Haredi draft exemptions'

Hundreds of national religious women, participate in a rally calling for the enlistment of haredi men, saying that the Torah does not prohibit IDF service.

Haredi rabbi: The IDF is not yet prepared to absorb haredim

Rabbi David Leybel speaks about the issue of drafting haredi yeshiva students, saying, 'Anyone who is not studying Torah needs to enlist, but the military system is not yet prepared to absorb haredim.'

Two Religious Zionism MKs announce:

We'll vote against daycare subsidy bill

Religious Zionism MKs Ohad Tal and Moshe Solomon announce intention to vote against daycare subsidy bill, depriving the coalition of the majority necessary to pass it.

Son of hasidic rebbe to enlist in haredi brigade

Haredi musician Mendel Rata shared why he decided to enlist in the Haredi brigade in the IDF. 'If I care about the truth, I must get up and take action.'

Haredi conscription

Gallant authorizes 7,000 additional pre-draft evaluation notices

Increasing the amount of summonses is meant to meet the goal set for conscription.

Smotrich's conditions for daycare subsidies

The Religious Zionist party has announced that it will agree to support a bill that would enable daycare subsidies for yeshiva students only if at the same time there are preferential allocations and additions for reservists.

Attorney General:

Daycare subsidy is an illegitimate benefit to draft dodgers

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara wrote to the Minister of Justice to oppose a bill to continue subsidies to families where the father does not serve in the army.

Naftali Bennett:

'Subsidy law is a mark of Cain'

The former Prime Minister issues a scathing denunciation of the law to continue funding daycare for families of Yeshiva students who do not enlist.

MK Galit Distel Atbaryan:

'The IDF doesn't know how to handle haredim - that's the truth'

Likud MK Galit Distel Atbaryan explains why she understands the haredi community's opposition to the Draft Law, hopes Supreme Court won't torpedo anti-terrorist law.

'The IDF needs to be larger'

IDF Chief of Staff discusses haredi conscription

LTG Herzi Halevi told reservists about a haredi soldier he met, and stated: 'Our question is how we create many more like him."

Haredi rabbi:

'Those who go to war are guaranteed a heavenly wage'

At a special memorial event for fallen soldiers in Bnei Barak, Rabbi Meir Mazuz said that those who went to war will be remembered in their world and reimbursed in the next.

Likud MK:

'Ending daycare subsidies for haredi women is an injustice'

MK Moshe Saada slams decision to end daycare subsidies for yeshiva students' children, insists 'you don't fix one injustice with another injustice.'