IDF Admits to Halting Arrests of Draft Dodgers, Contradicting Previous Statements

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has admitted to the Attorney General that it has not been proactively arresting draft dodgers in recent times, citing a focus on border crossings and preparations for the holiday period. This admission directly contradicts earlier statements from the IDF spokesperson's office, which had denied reports of halted proactive arrests and asserted that military police were conducting enforcement operations.

A document submitted to the High Court of Justice (Bagatz) by the Attorney General's office stated that army officials confirmed the lack of proactive enforcement and arrests recently due to the redeployment of forces to border crossings and holiday preparations. The military has indicated that proactive arrest operations are expected to resume in October.

Gil Limon, Deputy Attorney General, criticized the military's actions, stating that the prolonged absence of proactive enforcement against draft dodgers is inconsistent with security needs, particularly given the senior command's emphasis on increasing the standing army as a strategic necessity. He also noted the contradiction with the principle of equality and the state's previous commitments to the court, including a ruling that invalidated a law preventing the arrest of yeshiva students.

During September, as part of the intensified efforts at border crossings, 212 draft dodgers and deserters were apprehended, with an estimated 163 from the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) sector. All were brought to trial, mostly through disciplinary proceedings.

The Population and Immigration Authority reported that identified loopholes have been closed and that cases involving criminal offenses like "border theft" have been transferred to the Israel Police or the IDF. Limon urged the military police to resume proactive enforcement activities in coordination with the Israel Police, as planned for October. He also called for the military prosecution to expedite efforts to lower the threshold for prosecution of draft evasion and desertion, and to amend military disciplinary regulations.