Israeli Supreme Court Suspends Law Freezing Arrests of Draft Dodgers Pending Review

The Israeli Supreme Court issued a conditional order on Wednesday preventing the enforcement of a new law that freezes the arrest of draft dodgers, primarily targeting ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students. The court cited its longstanding rulings on the conscription of yeshiva students and the significant implications of halting arrest, investigation, and enforcement procedures for only specific segments of the population. The court demanded that the respondents justify why the law should not be annulled and scheduled a hearing before an expanded panel at the earliest opportunity. Respondents must submit affidavits and responses to interim injunction requests at least four days before the hearing.

This judicial intervention follows a contentious Knesset vote on Tuesday, where the first reading of the draft-dodger arrest freeze law passed narrowly with 58 votes in favor and 54 against, after months of negotiations and political pressure from ultra-Orthodox parties. Concurrently, the coalition is advancing legislation to repeal the kosher certification reform initiated by former Minister Matan Kahana, which had opened the kosher market to competition. This repeal effort is led by Otzma Yehudit MK Ohad Tal.

The Knesset session was marked by heated exchanges, including a verbal attack by MK Shlomo Karhi against MK Merav Ben Ari, whom he accused of politically harming multiple parties. Opposition members protested his remarks, and the vote was delayed due to disputes over amendments. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced jeers of "shame" upon entering the chamber, which shifted to chants of "go" after he stepped out for a phone call.

The Supreme Court's suspension of the law underscores the ongoing legal and political tensions surrounding the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Israelis and the broader debates over military service exemptions and religious community rights.