Israeli Housing Ministry Bars Draft Dodgers From Affordable Housing Lottery

The Israeli Ministry of Construction and Housing announced on Wednesday that ultra-Orthodox candidates who are draft dodgers will be disqualified from participating in the "Price for Residents" affordable housing lotteries. This decision follows a directive from the Supreme Court instructing the government to tighten enforcement and revoke economic benefits for those obligated to serve in the military but who fail to do so. As part of this new policy implementation, five key benefits have been canceled for this population: participation in the affordable housing lotteries, subsidies for higher education tuition, discounts for after-school programs, public transportation subsidies, and property tax discounts. Government officials emphasized that the move aims to ensure eligibility criteria are met and to promote fairness in the national service burden, in accordance with the Supreme Court's requirements.