Legal Advisor Condemns Draft Law on Draft Dodgers as Undermining Military Service

Miri Frenkel-Shur, the legal advisor to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, sharply criticized the proposed law concerning the detention of draft dodgers, which was scheduled for discussion on June 30, 2026. In a strongly worded letter to committee members, she argued that the updated draft law deviates significantly from its original intent, effectively creating a long-term bypass to Israel's military service exemption law. Frenkel-Shur described the bill as a "mini draft law" that primarily aims to regulate the status of yeshiva students, both immediately and in the future, by emphasizing the importance of Torah study as the sole justification for exempting these individuals from service without imposing equivalent obligations.

The legal advisor warned that the bill acts as a "pardon clause" legitimizing draft evasion among those currently classified as draft dodgers or evaders. She expressed concern that the law grants future draft candidates immunity from criminal proceedings and encourages non-compliance with military service laws. Furthermore, the updated draft removes key recruitment targets and economic sanctions against draft evaders, which were central to the original proposal put forth by the committee chairman.

Frenkel-Shur cautioned that the combined effect of the bill's provisions could allow any ultra-Orthodox draft candidate to avoid military service entirely without facing meaningful penalties or enforcement measures. This, she argued, undermines the original legislative intent and legally sanctions absence from service.

On the same evening, a rally took place in Bnei Brak opposing the detention of draft dodgers, during which inflammatory remarks were made against IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir. Defense Minister Yoav Katz condemned the incitement and stressed the importance of not crossing red lines. The rally also featured chants against Shas party leader Aryeh Deri following a speech by Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef.