Election Day Deal Protects Draft Evaders Going to Vote

Ahead of the upcoming Knesset election, yeshiva students had feared they might be unable to vote because police stationed at polling stations could arrest them if they were identified as draft evaders. The concern arose as part of preparations for elections expected in early Cheshvan, although the exact date has not yet been set because the Knesset has not been dissolved.

In response to appeals sent to the Central Elections Committee, committee chairman and Deputy President of the Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, together with acting director-general Dean Livneh, contacted Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and Police Commissioner Danny Levy. They reached an understanding, with the agreement of the committee chairman, the attorney general and the commissioner, that no enforcement operations related to draft evaders will be carried out on election day.

The decision means every voter will be able to reach the ballot box without fear of arrest. Sohlberg emphasized the importance of the right to vote, while Levy said the police will still deploy reinforced forces on election day to ensure the election proceeds properly and to maintain public order. Sohlberg welcomed that assurance.