IDF Accused of Inaction Against Haredi Draft Dodgers Amid Low Arrest Numbers
Translated & summarized from Channel 13 by baba
Israel's state will update the High Court of Justice on efforts to apprehend Haredi draft dodgers, following reports of very low arrest numbers. An estimated 50,000 Haredi draft dodgers are believed to be in Israel, with only 15 Haredi individuals arrested by Military Police recently. The IDF denies the claims, stating enforcement is ongoing, but acknowledged a lack of proactive arrests in a recent meeting. Proactive enforcement is expected to resume in October.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel faces scrutiny over low arrest rates of an estimated 50,000 Haredi draft dodgers.
- Only 15 Haredi draft dodgers were arrested by Military Police in a recent period.
- The IDF disputes the reported low arrest numbers, calling them unfounded.
- Proactive enforcement operations are expected to resume in October.
- Military Police failed to arrive in time to detain 143 apprehended draft dodgers.
Israel's state is set to inform the High Court of Justice tomorrow about measures being taken to apprehend Haredi draft dodgers. Recent data, however, indicates very low arrest numbers and suggests the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are failing in their enforcement efforts. It is estimated that approximately 50,000 Haredi draft dodgers reside in Israel. According to police data, only 143 draft dodgers have been apprehended and released since July because the Military Police did not arrive in time. During this same period, the Military Police arrested just 15 Haredi draft dodgers, along with 14 non-Haredi draft dodgers.
The IDF spokesperson responded, stating, "The presented data is unfounded and does not align with the information held by the IDF. Contrary to claims, the proactive enforcement activities of Military Police soldiers continue and are carried out routinely through various operational methods."
Last week, it was first reported that during a discussion at the Ministry of Justice with Deputy Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, the IDF admitted that proactive enforcement and arrests had not occurred recently. Following the discussion, it was determined that the Military Police must resume proactive enforcement operations promptly, in coordination with the Israel Police.
Military officials indicated that these activities are expected to resume in October. Concurrently, a joint work procedure between the army and police for handling draft evaders and deserters apprehended randomly will be implemented. It was also decided that the Military Advocate General's Corps must expedite proceedings to lower the threshold for prosecution for draft evasion and for deserters from the recruitment center, and to amend the disciplinary law.
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