Draft Law

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.

Haredi parties to Netanyahu: No more compromises on Draft Law

'We are not interested in whether or not there'll be a reform - on the Draft Law, we will not compromise,' haredi source tells PM Netanyahu.

Religious Affairs Minister:

Haredim obligated to enlist - just like every other citizen

Min. Michael Malkieli speaks about Draft Law, says no intention to push for blanket exemption for haredi community.

Yisrael Beytenu MK to INN:

'Israel will pay a heavy price over the Draft Law'

MK Oded Forer accuses the government of only caring about its own survival.

Is Israel’s military fraying?

Deep changes in Israel’s socio-economic dynamics have invaded the debate on the “People’s Army.” Op-ed.

Lapid slams Draft Law: 'End of the people's army'

Opposition leader accuses Foreign Minister Cohen of irresponsibility in Libya meeting, says new elections necessary as soon as possible.

Lapid favors gradual Draft Law and a unity government

Opposition leader speaks with activists on Zoom: The goal is to topple this terrible government.

Are haredi MKs weighing changes to the Draft Law proposal?

MKs Moshe Gafni, Uri Maklev, visit top rabbi to discuss possibilities for Draft Law bill.

Shas minister:

'Being haredi not a reason to be exempt from military service'

Health and Interior Minister on Draft Law: Being haredi is not a reason to be exempt from service, but Torah study should not be illegal.

Bnei Brak:

National Unity chairman visits haredi yeshiva

The meeting with haredi leaders comes as the Likud party has announced that it may not uphold coalition agreements on the draft law.

Haredi parties:

'We will not agree to mandatory service'

Representatives of haredi parties make clear they oppose mandatory service for haredim, even in a civil-national framework.

Otzma Yehudit MK:

'I think all haredim need to enlist in the army'

'We need to create the right framework for haredim, so that they can come and serve,' MK Almog Cohen stresses.

Haredi leaders back down from Draft Law demands

A meeting with the Defense Minister has produced understandings regarding the Draft Law for the haredi community.

Report: Judicial reform to be frozen, Draft Law passed

PM Netanyahu and his coalition recalculate course following pressure from haredi parties and concerns about IDF preparedness.

Senior minister to INN:

'The Draft Law could bring down the government'

Senior minister expresses concerns over haredi parties' reluctance to compromise on the Draft Law.

Report:

Haredi parties to vote against unilateral judicial reforms

Shas, UTJ, reportedly seek to have judicial reforms frozen to allow for passage of Draft Law.

Shas chief: UTJ liable to harm Draft Law approval

MK Aryeh Deri warns 'unnecessary words' by United Torah Judaism liable to hurt ability to pass Draft Law.

Religious Affairs Min.:

In left-wing government, haredim wouldn't be fried

'Haredi parties have never submitted a bill on religious matters, unless Supreme Court forced Knesset to intervene,' Min. Malkieli says.

Haredi party demands one of two options for solving draft crisis

United Torah Judaism demands PM Netanyahu legislate either Override Clause or Basic Law: Torah Study, alongside new Draft Law.

Netanyahu pushes for concessions in haredi draft law

The Prime Minister asked haredi party leaders to drop controversial parts of the haredi draft law.

Likud source:

We'll advance Draft Law so haredim won't join National Unity

Likud source responds to haredi parties' threat to leave coalition: 'Draft Law will be advanced at the start of the winter session.'

Netanyahu to haredim:

'Override clause for conscription law only if court intervenes'

Prime Minister Netanyahu suggested to haredi MKs that they advance the conscription law in the winter session as they requested.

Report:

Haredi parties to bring down govt. if Draft Law not passed

Deri, Goldknopf reportedly agree legislation exempting yeshiva students from IDF service must be passed before judicial reform

Cabinet Secretary:

'We will push draft exemtion that's immune to judicial review'

Yossi Fuchs says Draft Bill will be advanced at the beginning of the winter session and will include an exemption for Torah students.

Haredi newspaper:

'We joined to promote the Draft Law, not the reform'

Hamodia newspaper says bill to pass Basic Law: Torah Study was submitted 10 days ago. 'The timing is not ours.'

Haredi faction submits bill to pass Torah Study law

Likud party clarifies: Bill submitted by Agudat Yisrael will not be promoted by the coalition.

Haredi MK:

Netanyahu promised to pass Override Clause if there's no choice

Construction Min. Goldknopf says PM Netanyahu promised to push Override Clause if no other option is found for Draft Law.