Israel Arrests 163 Ultra-Orthodox Draft Dodgers in September
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Israeli authorities apprehended 163 ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers at border crossings in September, part of 212 total arrests for evading military service. Following the discovery that some evaded detection upon departure, an investigation into security system loopholes has begun. The IDF will resume proactive arrest operations in October, while a recent attempt to arrest a draft dodger in Modi'in was thwarted by protesters, leading to condemnation from the IDF.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- 163 ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers were arrested at Israeli border crossings in September.
- An investigation is underway into potential security system loopholes allowing draft evaders to leave Israel.
- The IDF will resume proactive arrest operations for draft dodgers in October.
- Protesters prevented the arrest of an ultra-Orthodox draft dodger in Modi'in.
- The IDF condemned the actions of protesters and vowed to continue enforcement.
- The issue of military conscription is becoming a central political concern.
Official figures presented at a Justice Ministry oversight meeting revealed that 212 individuals attempting to evade military service were apprehended at border crossings in September. Of these, 163 were from the ultra-Orthodox sector. The data, discussed under the leadership of Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon, also indicated that 64 draft dodgers managed to leave Israel undetected, only to be caught upon their return at Ben Gurion Airport.
In response to these findings, the Population and Immigration Authority has initiated an investigation into potential security system loopholes that allow individuals obligated to enlist to depart the country without hindrance. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that during the recent High Holidays, no proactive arrests of draft dodgers were made, as efforts were concentrated on border enforcement. However, the IDF stated that proactive operations to locate and arrest evaders nationwide, in coordination with the Israel Police and Military Police, will resume in October.
The Deputy Attorney General urged the IDF to expedite measures to lower the required time threshold for prosecution of draft evasion, aiming to increase the number of indictments filed. These developments follow an incident in Modi'in where military police attempted to arrest an ultra-Orthodox draft dodger. Hundreds of protesters, alerted through a dedicated emergency hotline, reportedly stormed the building and apartment, preventing the arrest. Police forces intervened to restore order, but the arrest failed, and the individual was released.
The IDF issued a strong condemnation of the rioters' conduct, emphasizing that enforcement actions will continue equitably and in accordance with the law. The political establishment is closely monitoring the resumption of proactive enforcement and the repercussions of the Modi'in incident, concerned that escalating confrontations could reignite public tensions and place the issue of military conscription at the forefront of the political agenda.
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