IDF and Police Blame Each Other for Failed Deserter Arrest Operation
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
The IDF and Israel Police are publicly blaming each other for the cancellation of a planned operation to arrest draft dodgers, originally scheduled for October 18. The IDF claims the police's demands for resources to handle public order issues prevented the operation, while the police assert the IDF and military police are solely responsible for leading such arrests. This dispute comes amid repeated calls from the government's legal advisor to resume mass detentions and follows recent incidents where draft dodgers were freed from military police. Both agencies are exchanging accusations, highlighting a significant lack of coordination.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- The IDF and Israel Police are blaming each other for the failure of a planned operation to arrest draft dodgers.
- The operation, targeting yeshiva students, was scheduled for October 18 but was called off by the police.
- IDF sources cited police demands for resources to handle public order as the reason for the cancellation.
- Police countered that the IDF and military police are responsible for leading such operations.
- The dispute occurs as the government's legal advisor urges renewed efforts to detain draft evaders.
- Recent incidents show ultra-Orthodox crowds intervening to free draft dodgers from military police.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has admitted to halting arrests of draft dodgers during the recent High Holidays and is now blaming the Israel Police for the failure of a large-scale operation planned for October 18. The operation, aimed at apprehending yeshiva students evading military service, was called off after the police informed the IDF on October 14 that it would not proceed. IDF sources cited a demand for 300 military police officers to handle public disturbances as the reason, noting that maintaining public order in civilian areas is the police's responsibility.
The police have rejected these claims, stating that the IDF and military police are responsible for leading such operations, with the police only providing assistance. They also accused the IDF of violating procedures for detaining deserters found by civilian police. According to regulations, civilian police must notify the army immediately after a solo apprehension, and the military police are expected to arrive within 30 minutes. Between July and mid-October, 144 instances were recorded where the IDF failed to dispatch military police on time, forcing officers to release detainees after issuing them a summons.
In 14 cases, military police did arrive promptly and made arrests. The article notes that most detainees were not from the ultra-Orthodox sector. The Legal Advisor to the Government, Gali Baharav-Miara, has repeatedly urged the IDF to resume mass detentions of draft evaders in recent months.
Amidst this inter-agency conflict, the state requested additional time from the High Court of Justice (Bagatz) on October 15 to respond to a petition filed by the "Free Israel" movement and other organizations. The petition seeks to hold government agencies accountable for contempt of court, violating the principle of equal enlistment, and failing to sanction draft dodgers.
Recent incidents in Modi'in, Dimona, and Bat Yam, where ultra-Orthodox crowds reportedly freed draft dodgers from military police, have highlighted the escalating issue of public disorder and ineffective police action. Despite the legal advisor's directive for the police to facilitate IDF arrests, the two bodies continue to exchange accusations and demonstrate a lack of coordination.
Uri Keidar, Director General of the "Free Israel" movement, criticized the government's inaction, stating it sides with draft dodgers over those serving. The IDF stated its responsibility is the apprehension itself, while the police maintain public order, a division confirmed by the deputy government legal advisor. The IDF also reported recent successful apprehensions of dozens of draft evaders at border crossings, some in cooperation with the police. The police reiterated that the military police are responsible for planning and executing these operations, and they will assist once the IDF meets the required operational demands.
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