IDF Admits Pausing Arrests of Draft Dodgers Amid Resource Strain

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged a recent halt in initiated arrests of deserters and draft dodgers, citing the need to allocate resources to other pressing matters. This admission came during a working meeting concerning the conscription of ultra-Orthodox men and measures against those evading service.

Despite the general pause, the IDF conducted a targeted operation against draft evaders between September 1 and 22. This operation focused on border crossings, particularly Ben Gurion Airport, the Allenby Bridge crossing, and the Taba crossing, in response to a significant number of individuals traveling for the Rosh Hashanah pilgrimage to Uman. The Population and Immigration Authority, military police, Israel Police, and the Ben Gurion Airport security service collaborated on this effort.

During the operation, a total of 212 deserters and draft dodgers were apprehended. The IDF estimates that 163 of these individuals belong to the ultra-Orthodox sector. All 212 were brought to justice, primarily through disciplinary proceedings. The Taba crossing proved to be a notable site, with 20 draft evaders, estimated to be from the ultra-Orthodox community, detained there while attempting to leave Israel.

At Ben Gurion Airport, 188 draft evaders were detained, including 64 who were apprehended upon their return to Israel from Uman. Previous media reports indicated that some ultra-Orthodox individuals attempted to evade detection by closely following other passengers through passport control to bypass military police.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara had previously highlighted the cessation of initiated arrests of deserters in October. She emphasized that this pause did not align with security system requirements and urged the military prosecution to expedite efforts to lower the threshold for prosecuting draft evasion and desertion, as well as to amend the disciplinary proceedings order.