Ultra-Orthodox Draft Dodgers Freed, Promised Foreign Funds, Denounce IDF

In Jerusalem on Tuesday evening, September 29, a large gathering of ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers, recently released from military prisons, took place. Organizers referred to them as "prisoners of the Torah's peace" and pledged financial support from abroad. Some attendees displayed banners labeling the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as an "enemy army." Police closed off streets in the vicinity of the event, which organizers estimated drew several thousand people. The released individuals arrived by bus and were met with cheers. One banner read, "Free the hostages from prison #10, who will never serve in the enemy army." Children received gift bags marked with the meeting of "Torah prisoners" who had served time "for observing Judaism."

A similar gathering for draft dodgers occurred on September 27, 2026, in Bnei Brak, where an orchestra performed in their honor and the released were hailed as heroes. Representatives of the Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox community, who typically do not engage with such individuals, also organized a large reception for them. During the procession, some participants attacked camera crews from Channel 12 Keshet, Channel 13 Reshet, and the public broadcaster Kan 11. Journalists from Kan 11 and Channel 13 subsequently left the scene.

Ynet previously reported that most of the dozens of draft dodgers currently in custody are Breslov Hasidim. They were detained at Ben Gurion Airport and other border crossings upon returning from trips, including to the tomb of Rabbi Nachman in Uman. Police conducted detentions at the airport, while no targeted operations to find draft dodgers are occurring elsewhere. The High Court of Justice has mandated that the IDF enforce the conscription law equally.

IDF representatives cited a lack of police cooperation as a reason for the cessation of draft dodger apprehension operations, stating that military police cannot operate in civilian areas without police assistance. The police countered that apprehending draft dodgers is the responsibility of military police and suggested directing questions about this task to them.

Knesset members Efrat Rayten, Ram Ben Barak, Orit Farkash-Hacohen, and Odeh Forer sought clarification from the IDF regarding reports of a sharp decrease, or even cessation, in the detention of yeshiva students obligated to serve. They emphasized that they could not yet assess the full picture and requested current data from the army, reminding the IDF that law enforcement impacts its recruitment capabilities and the morale of conscripted and reserve soldiers.