Israel's Attorney General to Update High Court on Ultra-Orthodox Draft Evasion

By ליאת רון

Translated & summarized from Walla by baba

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Israel's Attorney General will inform the High Court that the government has not yet removed discounts on property taxes and public transportation for ultra-Orthodox draft evaders. This is despite a court order in April mandating decisions within 35 days. The number of draft evaders has surged to 110,000 this year, with 80% estimated to be ultra-Orthodox. While the Tax Authority has begun revoking tax benefits for yeshivas attended by evaders, government ministers are delaying decisions on personal discounts.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

Attorney General will update High Court on government's failure to remove discounts for ultra-Orthodox draft evaders.
The number of draft evaders has increased to 110,000, with 80% estimated to be ultra-Orthodox.
High Court ordered decisions on revoking discounts within 35 days in April.
Discounts on property taxes and public transportation remain in place for draft evaders.
Tax Authority is revoking tax benefits for yeshivas attended by draft evaders.
The IDF estimates 80% of draft evaders are from the ultra-Orthodox community.

Israel's Attorney General to Update High Court on Ultra-Orthodox Draft Evasion — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Israel's Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara will update the High Court of Justice today on the implementation of laws concerning the draft of ultra-Orthodox men. The update will highlight that the government has yet to revoke tax and public transportation discounts for draft evaders, despite a High Court order in April to decide on the matter within 35 days. These discounts can amount to hundreds of shekels per family monthly and their removal could incentivize ultra-Orthodox young men to enlist in the IDF. In April, a five-judge panel ruled that the government was not enforcing military service obligations for the ultra-Orthodox and directed it to pursue economic measures against draft evaders, including limiting housing benefits, daycare subsidies, property taxes, and public transport discounts. While decisions on some benefits were due within 21 days, the property tax and public transport discounts had a 35-day deadline. Nearly six months later, these decisions remain outstanding. Reports indicate that the Minister of Transportation and the Minister of Finance had previously received professional recommendations that revoking public transport discounts was feasible, yet the issue has stalled. The delay in revoking property tax discounts is attributed by some in the government to the absence of a permanent Interior Minister, though the Prime Minister holds those powers. Meanwhile, the Tax Authority has acted to revoke tax benefits for yeshivas and associations attended by draft evaders, following the Attorney General's stance that the state should not fund institutions with draft-eligible students who have not regularized their status. This move proceeded despite opposition from the Finance Minister, who sought to maintain existing benefits. The number of draft evaders has significantly increased, rising from approximately 75,000 to 110,000 since the beginning of 2026, with the IDF estimating that about 80% are from the ultra-Orthodox community.