Dozens of Chabad Yeshiva Students Arrested at Ben Gurion Airport for Draft Evasion
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Dozens of Chabad yeshiva students returning from studies in New York were arrested at Ben Gurion Airport by military police for draft evasion. The 19-year-olds had not regularized their military status before leaving Israel or while abroad. Despite initial logistical challenges and consideration of their release, they were transferred to military detention. The arrests have sparked strong reactions from families and Haredi community figures, continuing a trend of detentions at the airport for those with irregular military status.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Dozens of Chabad yeshiva students were arrested at Ben Gurion Airport for draft evasion upon returning from New York.
- The students, aged 19, had not regularized their military status before traveling or during their studies abroad.
- Military police faced logistical challenges due to the large number of students arriving simultaneously.
- The students were ultimately transferred to military detention facilities, drawing sharp criticism.
- Ben Gurion Airport has recently become a frequent site for detaining Haredi youths with irregular military status.
Dozens of Chabad yeshiva students returning to Israel from their studies in New York were arrested by military law enforcement authorities at Ben Gurion Airport on Tuesday. The students, all 19 years old, had been studying in the United States for the past year and had not regularized their military status before leaving Israel or during their stay abroad under previous regulations. Upon arrival at the passenger terminal, the students found themselves subject to significant enforcement by the Military Police. Reports from the scene indicated that due to the large number of students arriving together, the Military Police encountered logistical difficulties in handling the volume of arrests. Initially, the possibility of releasing the students to their homes was considered, but ultimately, an order was given to transfer the young men to military detention facilities. This action has drawn sharp reactions from the students' families and Haredi public figures involved in the issue. In recent months, Ben Gurion Airport has become a focal point where the Military Police detain Haredi youths returning to Israel from trips abroad, vacations, or emissary missions, after they failed to regularize their status or due to unanswered summonses. This policy has recently led to various confrontations, public protests, and difficulties at border control. The IDF stated in response: "Candidates for security service who passed through the border crossing at Ben Gurion Airport are obligated to enlist and will be judged according to the law."
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