40 Yeshiva Students Detained at Ben Airport Released, 2 Sent to Military Prison

The students were identified as draft-eligible and were initially held by military police as part of enforcement of the security service law. Most of the detained students were returning from a year of study in New York and presented documents indicating their intention to enlist in the IDF and continue their regular studies. According to sources familiar with the matter, some were already in advanced stages of coordinating their enlistment with the security establishment.

Two individuals were sent to military prison after being classified as deserters for over 540 days. Security officials estimate that a decision regarding their release may be made later. The detentions occurred as the military police were conducting operations at border crossings to enforce conscription laws. A military police minibus waited outside the airport to transport the students after their arrival.

The IDF stated that an additional 13 draft-eligible individuals signed declarations of willingness to enlist, joining 27 others who expressed similar intent earlier. These 40 individuals are expected to enlist in the IDF through regular channels in the near future and will be placed in programs designated for the Haredi community.

The detentions sparked sharp criticism from Haredi political parties, who accused Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara of political interference in the election period. Shas party claimed Baharav-Miara instructed the detentions to influence the elections, citing a temporary law intended to prevent political intervention in enforcement procedures. United Torah Judaism warned of an intentional attempt to create chaos and disrupt the upcoming elections, with MK Yaakov Asher calling on Justice Noam Sohlberg to intervene and secure the students' release.