Ultra-Orthodox Party Submits Draft Laws on Haredi Draft Deferrals
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
United Torah Judaism MK Meir Porush submitted draft laws to halt arrests and grant deferrals for yeshiva students studying at least 45 hours weekly. The "Arrest Freeze Law" would temporarily stop enforcement against students if they meet study requirements. These proposals are part of the party's conditions for joining a potential government led by Gadi Eisenkot, aiming to resolve the contentious issue of ultra-Orthodox conscription.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- MK Meir Porush submitted draft laws to halt arrests and grant deferrals for yeshiva students.
- One bill would allow the Defense Minister to grant annual deferrals until age 26.
- A temporary order bill, "The Arrest Freeze Law," would stop enforcement against students.
- The proposals aim to address a "Jewish and social emergency" and calm tensions.
- These moves are linked to United Torah Judaism's potential entry into a Gadi Eisenkot-led government.
- The party demands an immediate resolution to the yeshiva student draft issue as a condition for joining.
With the opening of the 26th Knesset session, MK Meir Porush of the United Torah Judaism party has submitted several draft laws, prioritizing two that aim to regulate the legal status of yeshiva students. These proposals seek to immediately halt arrest and criminal enforcement proceedings against Torah scholars. Under one bill, the Defense Minister would be authorized to grant service deferrals to yeshiva students studying at least 45 hours weekly. These deferrals would be renewable annually until the student reaches the age of 26, at which point they would receive a full exemption from mandatory service.
Concurrently, Porush, along with MK Stark, introduced an urgent temporary order bill titled "The Arrest Freeze Law." This legislation would prevent arrests, investigations, or enforcement actions against yeshiva students whose enlistment dates fall from July 2023 onwards, provided they declare they are studying at least 45 hours weekly and are not engaged in other work. The explanatory notes state the bill is a response to a "Jewish and social emergency situation" causing deep unrest and a sense of persecution, aiming to immediately stop arrests and calm tensions until a comprehensive arrangement is legislated.
Porush's office stated that submitting these bills at the Knesset's opening signals that protecting Torah scholars is a top parliamentary priority, asserting that regulating the status of yeshiva students is a foundational element of Israel since its establishment. The proposals are based on the belief that Torah study is a core Jewish value and that the state has a moral obligation to enable those who dedicate their lives to it. These legislative moves coincide with United Torah Judaism's negotiations to join a government led by Gadi Eisenkot, following Avigdor Lieberman's removal of his veto. The party has set clear conditions for joining the "change bloc" government, prominently featuring the demand for an immediate resolution to the yeshiva student draft issue.
