Israeli Defense Minister Joins Call for Urgent Legislation to Prevent Arrests of Yeshiva Students

Following a directive from Prime Minister Netanyahu, Government Secretary Yossi Fox sent an urgent letter to Boaz Bismuth, chair of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, demanding immediate legislation to halt arrests of Torah scholars. This morning, Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed the call with a similar letter, urging an urgent committee discussion on a temporary law to freeze criminal proceedings against yeshiva students under effective supervision.

The proposed legislation aims to define who qualifies as a genuine yeshiva student, establish enforcement and oversight mechanisms, and list approved yeshivas. Katz emphasized the need to ensure continued enforcement against draft evaders not engaged in Torah study, while exempting bona fide learners.

The push for legislation follows a Supreme Court ruling that led to the suspension of funding for yeshivas with draft-eligible students, imposition of economic sanctions on families, and frequent arrests by the IDF and police without distinguishing between actual students and others. Fox's letter, reflecting the Prime Minister's position, states this approach has deepened the rift with the ultra-Orthodox community and failed to improve military recruitment.

Fox highlighted growing unrest among ultra-Orthodox families with sons serving in combat or semi-military frameworks, who now fear that Torah-learning siblings could be arrested at any time. These parents, who previously sent non-studying sons to serve, are now reluctant to continue service due to the risk of arrests among learners.

The proposed temporary law seeks to balance protecting genuine Torah students from arrest while maintaining enforcement against draft evasion, aiming to ease tensions and clarify legal status amid ongoing recruitment challenges.