Haredi Lawmakers Outraged Over Arrests of Draft Dodgers

Dozens of draft dodgers from the Chabad Hasidic movement were detained at Ben Gurion Airport upon their return to Israel from studies in the United States. The individuals, who had not regularized their status with military authorities, were held by military police enforcing the security service law at border crossings. The detentions have sparked outrage among Haredi political leaders, who accuse law enforcement of attempting to interfere with the ongoing election period.

Yaakov Asher, chairman of the United Torah Judaism party, appealed to Noam Sohlberg, chairman of the Central Elections Committee, requesting an immediate halt to such "proactive arrests" during the sensitive election season. Asher alleged that increased enforcement at this time is intended to create chaos and instill fear within the Haredi public.

Concurrently, MK Meir Porush stated he is in ongoing contact with senior officials in the IDF and the Ministry of Defense to secure the release of the detained young men. The Shas movement also issued sharp criticism, labeling the actions as political interference in the elections and the enforcement of decrees. Shas faction chairman Yinon Azulai, acting on the directive of movement chairman Aryeh Deri, is demanding the immediate release of the draft dodgers.

In response, the IDF spokesperson stated that the young men detained are legally obligated to enlist and will face disciplinary or criminal proceedings according to military regulations. The army emphasized that military police are enforcing the security service law at border crossings in full coordination with the Population and Immigration Authority and other authorized enforcement bodies.