Israeli Lawmaker Seeks to Halt Draft Evasion Arrests for Yeshiva Students
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Member of Knesset Meir Porush has proposed two bills to regulate the status of yeshiva students regarding military service. One bill seeks to allow deferment of service until age 26, with full exemption at that age. The second, a temporary one-year "Arrest Freeze Law," aims to halt all enforcement actions against draft evaders.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- MK Meir Porush proposed bills to halt arrests of yeshiva students evading military draft.
- One bill would allow yeshiva students to defer service until age 26.
- A temporary "Arrest Freeze Law" would halt enforcement for one year.
- The proposals aim to regulate the status of yeshiva students and kollel scholars.
- MK Eliezer Stark is co-sponsoring the legislative initiatives.
Member of Knesset Meir Porush has introduced two legislative proposals aimed at regulating the status of yeshiva students and kollel scholars concerning military conscription. The bills, submitted with the opening of the 26th Knesset, seek to halt arrest and enforcement proceedings against draft evaders. Porush, joined by MK Eliezer Stark, is advancing two legislative tracks: a permanent arrangement allowing yeshiva students to defer military service until age 26, and a temporary order to freeze arrest and criminal enforcement actions for one year.
The proposed permanent arrangement would permit the Defense Minister to grant a deferment to a yeshiva student studying at least 45 hours per week, or a kollel scholar studying at least 40 hours weekly. Deferments would be granted for one-year periods, renewable based on continued study, with full exemption from regular service granted at age 26. A key provision addresses students whose legal status became irregular after the previous law expired, proposing transitional measures to handle ongoing legal proceedings. Students who met study requirements before the new law takes effect would not face prosecution for failing to enlist, and any existing legal proceedings or judgments would be immediately halted.
Concurrently, Porush and Stark submitted a separate, urgent bill dubbed the "Arrest Freeze Law." This temporary measure, lasting one year, aims for an immediate cessation of enforcement actions against draft-evading yeshiva students, even before the comprehensive legislation is finalized. Porush's office stated that filing both proposals at the start of the new Knesset session prioritizes the issue of yeshiva students' status on the parliamentary agenda.
