Israeli Military Detains East Jerusalem Resident with Polish Citizenship for Draft Evasion

A 19-year-old resident of East Jerusalem with Polish citizenship, Lia Fardella, was detained at Ben Gurion Airport by military police as she was preparing to travel abroad with her family. She has been accused of draft evasion and taken to a military prison.

Fardella, an Arab Christian, holds Polish citizenship but not Israeli citizenship. She grew up in East Jerusalem and attended an American school, reportedly speaking little Hebrew, according to Ynet. Her mother stated that the family never received draft notices and Lia was unaware of any military service obligation.

The mother claims her daughter was removed from the boarding line and taken away without explanation. The family has hired a lawyer, but the mother reports that the lawyer has not yet been permitted to contact Fardella.

Israeli law mandates military service for both citizens and permanent residents over 18. However, permanent residents of East Jerusalem without Israeli citizenship typically do not receive draft notices due to current IDF and Ministry of Defense policy. Lia's mother speculated that notices might have been sent years ago when the family briefly lived in Petah Tikva, but they were never received.

Describing the detention as traumatic for her daughter, who she says is not Israeli or Jewish but a Polish Christian living in East Jerusalem, the mother emphasized Lia's confusion about the charges. The IDF stated that the situation is under review and that draft notices are issued in accordance with the law.