Chabad Students' Arrest Highlights Rift Between Haredi Politicians and Reality
Translated & summarized from Zman Yisrael by baba
Dozens of Chabad students were detained at Ben Gurion Airport for draft evasion, sparking political outcry from Haredi leaders who called it a politically motivated act. However, most students agreed to enlist in the IDF, with only two being sent to military prison. The event highlighted the high enlistment rates within the Chabad community compared to other Haredi factions, contrasting with the political stance of Haredi parties seeking blanket draft exemptions.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- 40 of 42 detained Chabad students agreed to enlist in the IDF following airport detentions.
- Haredi politicians condemned the detentions as a political ploy ahead of elections.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed opposition to arresting Haredi draft dodgers.
- Chabad has the highest military enlistment rates among Haredi communities.
- Two Chabad students were transferred to military prison as draft dodgers.
Dozens of young Chabad students, who were due for military conscription, were detained by military police at Ben Gurion Airport upon their return from studies in Brooklyn. The students, who had been studying at the World Chabad Center's yeshiva, were taken for military processing without resistance. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Haredi coalition partners quickly politicized the event, with Netanyahu stating his opposition to arresting draft dodgers and expressing a desire to pass a conscription exemption law.
He appealed to Election Committee Chairman Justice Noam Solberg to halt the arrests, a sentiment echoed by Shas party spokespeople.
However, contrary to the politicians' reactions, the detained students largely accepted their situation. Many agreed to enlist after facing disciplinary proceedings, with 40 out of 42 agreeing to join the IDF and begin enlistment procedures. Two individuals identified as long-term draft dodgers were transferred to military prison.
The event saw a stark contrast between the Haredi politicians' outcry and the students' pragmatic response. While politicians decried the detentions, no significant protests or disruptions occurred. The outcome embarrassed the Haredi politicians, as the Chabad community demonstrated a willingness to balance Torah study with military service, a concept rooted in Chabad philosophy and teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
Chabad, which has the highest conscription rates among Haredi communities, with many serving in units like the Haredi Brigade Nachal Charedi, felt the military's action was a misstep. Yossi Levin, editor of the Chabad weekly "Kfar Chabad," noted that while politicians exploited the situation, the military erred by targeting a community with high enlistment rates. He suggested that if other Haredi factions matched Chabad's enlistment figures, the burden-sharing issue would be resolved, but emphasized that Haredi parties, with Netanyahu's support, resist quotas and sanctions in favor of a blanket exemption.
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