Haredi Parties Fear Draft Dodgers Will Be Arrested on Election Day

Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) parties are expressing serious concern that military police may arrest draft dodgers on election day, despite a prior agreement to the contrary. Senior figures in the United Torah Judaism and Shas parties claim that the airport incident has eroded trust in legal understandings, fearing military police might be stationed near polling stations in Haredi communities to apprehend individuals classified as draft dodgers.

The parties argue that such enforcement actions, even if not within the polling station itself, could intimidate voters and suppress turnout, infringing on the fundamental right to vote and be elected. They emphasize that many of those arrested at the airport were in the process of arranging their military service and intended to enlist, rather than actively evading service.

In July, the Central Elections Committee announced a decision, agreed upon by its chairman, Judge Noam Sohlberg, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, and Police Commissioner Dani Levi, that no enforcement operations regarding draft dodgers would be conducted on election day. This decision was intended to ensure every citizen's right to vote without fear. The Elections Committee reiterated on Tuesday that this directive remains in effect to guarantee that all citizens can exercise their right to vote without apprehension.