Israeli Housing Lottery Bars Haredi Draft Dodgers for First Time

For the first time, young Haredi men who are draft dodgers have been barred from participating in the Israeli government's "Price for Residents" discounted housing lotteries. The Ministry of Housing informed the affected individuals by letter, following legal advice from the Attorney General and a ruling by the High Court of Justice. According to the letter, starting May 24, 2026, eligibility to enter these discounted housing lotteries requires that the individual or their spouse is not classified by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as a draft-dodger who has not regularized their status. The letter specifically states that those who have not resolved their military service obligations will be removed from the lottery registration list within two days of receiving the notice.

This policy change follows a broader set of sanctions against draft dodgers, including restrictions on tax benefits for yeshivas that support them. The move has sparked criticism from Haredi political leaders. Meir Porush, a member of the Knesset from the United Torah Judaism party, condemned the decision, emphasizing that the land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people collectively and that every Jew has a right to live in Israel and access state land benefits. He described the ministry's announcement as a form of theft from the Jewish people.

The new eligibility criteria reflect ongoing tensions between the Israeli government and the Haredi community over military service obligations and integration into broader Israeli society. The policy is set to take effect in mid-2026, impacting thousands of young Haredi men who have traditionally been exempt from conscription but now face housing access restrictions as a consequence of draft evasion.