Haredi Parties Aim to Avoid Arrests During 'Bein Hazmanim' Summer Break Amid Legal Challenges

Following the approval of political deal laws with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Haredi parties celebrated but remain deeply concerned about potential Supreme Court annulment of these laws. Their immediate goal is to pass the upcoming "Bein Hazmanim" summer vacation without arrests of draft dodgers, as thousands of yeshiva students begin their break after the fast of Tisha B'Av. Despite the legislation exempting Haredi draft evaders from arrest passing its second and third readings in the Knesset, petitions filed immediately after the vote threaten to invalidate the law.

The Haredi community has faced a series of Supreme Court rulings increasing arrests and enforcement measures against draft evasion, including economic sanctions. Recognizing the likelihood of the law being struck down, Haredi leaders are focusing on maintaining calm during the three-week vacation period when many students are outside their usual study frameworks and more vulnerable to police encounters. Rabbis have repeatedly instructed students to remain in study halls to avoid arrest, but the summer break raises fears of increased police contact on roads and public spaces.

The coalition pushed to pass the exemption law before the Knesset recess on July 17, alongside other key bills. Netanyahu was notably absent from the vote on this controversial law, as he was from recent votes on the Basic Law on Torah Study and the political inquiry committee into the October 7 massacre. Haredi representatives hope no interim injunction will be issued by the Supreme Court, which would allow a peaceful vacation period and reduce tensions ahead of upcoming elections. Otherwise, the community risks heightened unrest and dissatisfaction with their political leaders' inability to protect young men from detention.