Lawmakers Demand Answers on Haredi Draft Evasion Arrests Amidst Inter-Agency Blame

Members of Knesset Efrat Reiten, Ram Ben Barak, Orit Farkash-Hacohen, andodedd Forer have formally requested clarifications from the Military Advocate General, Major General Itai Ofir, regarding the number of arrests of draft-evading yeshiva students in 2026. As of this report, their inquiry remains unanswered.

The lawmakers' concern stems from a perceived dramatic decrease in arrests of ultra-Orthodox individuals obligated to military service since a law freezing these arrests was enacted, later frozen, and then canceled by the High Court of Justice. They fear that enforcement actions have effectively ceased.

Recent reports indicate that while dozens of draft evaders are currently held in military prison, these arrests were primarily made at Ben Gurion Airport by police checkpoints, not through proactive enforcement operations, which have reportedly halted in the past two months. IDF sources have cited a lack of cooperation from the Israel Police as a reason for this, explaining that military police require police assistance to operate in civilian areas.

The Israel Police, when questioned about these claims, stated that the responsibility lies with the Military Police and directed inquiries to them. MK Reiten criticized the situation, stating, "The disgraceful law to freeze the arrest of Haredi draft dodgers was canceled by the High Court. The IDF is required to fulfill its duty and act to draft according to the law." She added, "The reports that proactive enforcement actions have almost completely stopped and that draft evaders are only arrested at Ben Gurion Airport raise serious concerns about a dramatic decline that harms public trust and fairness towards hundreds of thousands of regular and reserve soldiers bearing the burden. Enforcing the duty of service equally and effectively is fundamental; we will not allow this duty to be whitewashed."

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit responded, "The claim is incorrect. The Military Police Corps conducts proactive enforcement operations in required population centers with the accompaniment of the Israel Police and at border crossings according to its missions. Based on situation assessments, personnel and resources for the arrest of draft absentees at various border crossings have been increased. The IDF will continue to act for equal enforcement against all lawbreakers."