Knesset Passes Law Freezing Arrests of Haredi Draft Dodgers for Five Months

The Israeli Knesset approved a temporary law on Tuesday to freeze the arrests of Haredi yeshiva students classified as draft dodgers for five months. The legislation passed in a heated session with a narrow majority of 58 to 54 votes after hours of intense debate and confrontations. The law aims to prevent police arrests of these students until their status is resolved through comprehensive legislation.

This temporary measure is considered a key coalition initiative to stabilize tensions and avoid unnecessary clashes between law enforcement and the Haredi community while a permanent draft arrangement is negotiated. The law suspends criminal enforcement actions against eligible yeshiva students during this interim period.

The vote took place amid a tense atmosphere, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu absent from the plenary session. Several coalition members, including Dan Illouz, Yuli Edelstein, and Sharren Haskel, voted against the bill, defying the coalition's position. Defense Minister Israel Katz, who supported the law, faced opposition chants from the opposition. Some members of the Religious Zionist Party were also absent.

Haredi coalition MKs from Shas and United Torah Judaism submitted a general disclosure statement acknowledging that the law might affect their adult children studying Torah. The law does not cancel ongoing discussions about military conscription but temporarily halts enforcement to allow for a structured legislative solution.

Supporters argue the law restores stability and prevents unnecessary conflict, providing a transitional framework to advance a permanent and agreed-upon resolution on the draft issue.