Haredi Draft

Haredim over 21 to be exempted from IDF draft

Government votes to lower draft exemption age for haredi men to 21 - before rising to 23. 'This is a historic moment,' says PM Bennett.

Inflated haredi draft numbers: 'The orders came from the top'

Former officer in IDF's manpower directorate who was involved in inflating of haredi draft numbers says orders 'came from the top.'

Report: IDF falsified statistics on haredi draft

For years, IDF's statistics on haredi enlistment have been exaggerated to prevent public criticism, report says.

Amid warnings of new elections, coalition talks remain stalled

Despite threats by Netanyahu to dissolve Knesset and go to new elections, haredi lawmakers and Yisrael Beytenu fail to reach compromise.

Haredi faction offers compromise on yeshiva student draft law

United Torah Judaism looks to bridge gap with Yisrael Beytenu on haredi draft law, offers to accept Liberman's draft - with one change.

Why tens of thousands of haredim won't be voting in the election

Anti-draft Yerushalmi Faction calls on supporters not to participate in this week's election. How many seats will that cost haredi bloc?

Dozens arrested as haredi protesters shut down Jerusalem roads

Hundreds of anti-draft protesters block roads in the capital, following arrest of haredi draft dodger.

Supreme Court: Haredi draft deferments to remain in place

Yeshiva students breathe sigh of relief as Supreme Court accepts request to push off nullification of draft law until after elections.

Coalition mulls future of haredi draft law - without haredi MKs

As gov't prepares to resume talks over haredi draft law, Netanyahu gathers coalition leaders. But haredi MKs say they will boycott meeting.

Haredi draft opponents gear up for protest rally

'Yerushalmi Faction' plans major protest after haredi draft dodger's arrest extended.

Supreme Court gives Draft Law extension - hours after it expires

After yeshiva students' draft deferment law expires, Supreme Court grants gov't less than 45 days to pass replacement legislation.

As deadline nears, gov't asks court for draft law extension

With just one week left to pass draft law securing yeshiva student deferments, PM to call on Supreme Court to grant additional extension.

Did IDF officer open fire in Meah Sharim?

IDF, police release conflicting reports on whether IDF officer injured by mob of rioters in haredi neighborhood fired shots.

'Government can solve haredi draft dilemma'

Knesset Speaker dismisses suggestions government likely to split over haredi draft law, says there is no reason to hold early elections.

Gov't asks High Court for 7 month extension to pass Draft Law

Governmant says in its appeal that it is unable to finish legislation by looming deadline.

Haredi lawmaker issues ultimatum on draft law

Dep Minister Yaakov Litzman gives coalition 1 week to come up with fix for controversial draft law, vows to quit gov't if no solution found.

Poll: Israelis back end to deferments for yeshiva students

Following passage of controversial haredi draft law, poll shows most Israeli Jews back drafting nearly all yeshiva students into IDF.

'I don't want Arabs flying our F-16s'

Yesh Atid lawmaker defends plan to draft haredim - while leaving most of Arab population exempt from IDF service.

Bennett: Mass draft of haredim by force could backfire

Education Minister takes swipe at latest draft law aimed at yeshiva students, says haredi enlistment numbers rising even without new law.

Haredi draft law to be voted on next week

PM announces plans to vote on contentious draft law, says details of bill will be worked out only after preliminary vote.

'Back haredi draft law - or we'll dismantle the government'

Coalition chairman demands haredi lawmakers get behind proposed draft law, threatening new elections if haredi MKs don't support proposal.

Labor vows to vote down haredi draft law

Avi Gabbay says his party will oppose any law which does not 'share the burden' of military service equally.

Police investigate haredi group over anti-IDF street performance

Edah Haharedit reportedly organized street performance in which children were encouraged to hurl fruit at actor dressed as IDF soldier.

Haredi businessmen are threatening yeshiva deans, says rabbi

Sephardic-haredi rabbi says prominent religious businessmen demanding yeshiva deans not criticize IDF service in talks with their students.

9 injured during haredi anti-draft riots

Hundreds protest against IDF draft office in Jerusalem, clashing with police as officers hurl stun grenades at rioters. 4 officers injured.

Video: Extremists besiege religious soldier

Extremist haredi youths turned violent at the sight of a kippah-wearing soldier in uniform. An eyewitness recounts the experience.

28 arrested as haredi demonstrators block roads in Bnei Brak

Yerushalmi Faction protesters take to the streets to condemn arrest of haredi draft dodger. Highway 4 blocked as part of protests.

Haredi 'Draft Law' passes first reading in Knesset

Bill which sparked coalition crisis, divided government passes first reading in the Knesset, despite opposition from Yisrael Beytenu.

Government averts coalition crisis, avoids snap elections

Following meeting between Netanyahu, Liberman, government committee approves compromise deal averting government collapse.

Will last-minute deal prevent snap elections?

Netanyahu in talks with Defense Minister to end coalition crisis, prevent government collapse.

Netanyahu government faces critical Knesset votes

Votes in the Knesset over the next 24 hours could determine whether coalition survives - or if early elections are inevitable.

Yerushalmi Faction to shut down Bnei Brak roads Monday

Extremist anti-draft haredi group plans follow-up demonstration in Bnei Brak, after group shut down traffic in Jerusalem last week.

Haredi draft bill passes first hurdle

Following compromise agreement between PM, haredi factions, draft exemption law approved by Ministerial Committee for Legislation.

Yisrael Beytenu threatens to bolt coalition over Draft Law

'If haredi-backed draft law passes, we'll leave the government,' warns Defense Minister's Yisrael Beytenu faction.

PM meets with UTJ head in last-ditch effort to avoid elections

Following week abroad, Netanyahu meets with haredi lawmaker in effort to resolve coalition crisis, prevent government collapse.

Haredi leaders reject compromise on Draft Law

Coalition crisis deepens as UTJ leaders reject compromise offered to end crisis over draft law.

'We will never surrender to haredi extortion'

Liberman rejects proposed Draft Law compromise aimed at ending coalition crisis, averting snap elections.

'Israel has been taken captive by haredi extremists'

Defense Minister launches a broadside on haredi parties over Draft Law impasse, accuses haredim of 'extorting' government.

Haredi anti-draft radicals shut down Jerusalem streets

Anti-draft protesters launch first demonstration following death of Yerushalmi Faction leader.

Yisrael Beytenu MK: We're not willing to compromise on security

MK Oded Forer slams haredi parties for coalition crisis, says they're using MK fear of elections as an excuse for 'extortion.'