Israeli Knesset Approves Law Shielding Ultra-Orthodox Draft Dodgers Amid Ongoing War

During an ongoing war with hundreds of fallen soldiers and thousands of reservists separated from their families for years, the Israeli Knesset passed a law preventing basic sanctions against ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers. The law, approved amid national conflict and widespread anxiety, exempts certain individuals from arrest for draft evasion, sparking sharp criticism.

A list of Knesset members, including Yitzhak Goldknopf, Moshe Gafni, Meir Porush, Uri Maklev, Yaakov Tessler, Yaakov Asher, and Yitzhak Pindrus, openly disclosed that their children and grandchildren benefit from this exemption. Critics argue this reveals a double standard where lawmakers protect their own families while sending others’ children to fight and risk their lives.

The lawmakers described their children and grandchildren as "serving as the tribe of Levi," a biblical reference to a group without land inheritance who served religious roles. Opponents counter that this is misleading, accusing these politicians of exploiting public budgets and privileges unjustly. The article condemns Prime Minister Netanyahu for endorsing the law, interpreting his support as placing political interests above soldiers’ lives.

This development is seen as a breach of the fundamental social contract between the state and families sending their children to battle. The article concludes that the stain left by this Knesset decision is indelible. Additionally, it notes that the state continues to fund organizations opposing military conscription, with rabbis declaring a fight against the law ending draft evasion arrests.