Israeli Supreme Court Reviews Controversial Haredi Draft Evasion Detention Law Without Government Defense

On July 28, 2026, the Israeli Supreme Court convened a nine-justice panel led by Deputy President Noam Solberg to review the recently passed law concerning the detention of Haredi draft evaders. The law, which has faced criticism for alleged inequality, was temporarily frozen by Justice Ofer Groskopf following petitions challenging its fairness. Under the law, detentions of Haredi draft evaders are suspended until November 30, effectively extending the freeze by three months due to the recent 26th Knesset elections.

At the hearing's start, Justice Solberg allocated each speaker 10 to 15 minutes to present their arguments. Notably, the government chose not to send a defense representative, indicating the session would likely be brief. Attorney Yitzhak Bert from the Knesset Legal Department argued that the law did not comply with Knesset procedural rules and failed to meet the required legislative standards. He emphasized that the original bill aimed to integrate yeshiva students into the IDF and civilian employment while reducing inequality, but the final law shifted focus entirely to freezing enforcement actions.

The Supreme Court's deliberation centers on the law's legislative process and its implications for equality and military service obligations among Haredi Jews. The court's decision will impact the enforcement of draft laws and the broader debate over Haredi integration into Israeli society.