Israeli Ultra-Orthodox Celebrate New Law Halting Arrests of Torah Students

Israeli ultra-Orthodox political factions celebrated the approval of a new law that prohibits the arrest of Torah students who have become draft evaders due to the lack of a legal framework regulating their status. The law, initiated by Aryeh Deri, leader of the Shas party, passed its second and third readings in the Knesset on Tuesday and was added to Israel's legal code. It stipulates that in the coming months, both the military police and Israel Police will refrain from arresting yeshiva students classified as draft evaders.

Shortly after the law's passage, the Yesh Atid party petitioned the Supreme Court, which could potentially overturn the legislation and reinstate the arrests. Aryeh Deri hailed the law as a clear message to the dismissed Attorney General, declaring "enough persecution" and "enough hatred toward Torah learners." He emphasized the importance of Torah study to Israeli identity and quoted Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, who viewed Torah students as protecting Israel from its enemies.

Moshe Gafni, head of the Degel HaTorah faction, called the law a significant step in protecting Torah study and its students, promising continued advocacy for their rights. United Torah Judaism leader Uri Maklev described the legislation as a necessary correction to what he called the wrongful persecution of Torah students as criminals. He warned against attempts by religious Zionist groups to condition recognition of Torah study on military service or other demands.

Meir Porush, another United Torah Judaism MK, framed the law as a response to what he termed a "war" on the Torah world initiated by the Attorney General and the Supreme Court, demanding immediate release of detained Torah students and threatening unprecedented civil unrest among Israel's 1.5 million ultra-Orthodox if arrests continue. The law reflects ongoing tensions between Israel's ultra-Orthodox community and state authorities over military conscription and religious status.

Key ultra-Orthodox leaders expressed unity in defending Torah study and vowed to oppose any government that does not guarantee full recognition of Torah students' status.