Israeli Supreme Court Reviews Petitions Against Haredi Draft Freeze Law Without Government Representation

The Israeli Supreme Court convened this Tuesday morning in an expanded panel of nine justices to hear petitions challenging the law freezing the detention of draft-dodging Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) individuals. The government notably chose not to send a lawyer to present its position, facing opposition from petitioners and the Attorney General's legal advisor. The hearing was broadcast live.

Petitioners included prominent political figures and organizations such as Yair Lapid, leader of Yesh Atid; Avigdor Lieberman, head of Yisrael Beiteinu; Israel Hofsheet (Free Israel); the Movement for Quality Government; and Brothers in Arms. The panel was led by Supreme Court Deputy President Noam Sohlberg, alongside justices Daphne Barak-Erez, David Mintz, Yael Wilner, Ofer Grosskopf, Alex Stein, Gila Kanfi-Steinitz, Yechiel Kasher, and Ruth Ronen.

Deputy President Sohlberg opened by outlining the case background, noting that petitioners argue the legislative process was flawed and violated constitutional equality rights, failing legal limitation tests. A temporary injunction was issued to freeze the law's implementation pending the court's decision. The court limited each party's oral arguments to ten minutes.

Attorney Yitzhak Bart, representing the Knesset Attorney General, argued that the legislative process did not comply with Knesset rules, particularly regarding the introduction of a "new subject" during the law's readings, which is prohibited. He explained that the original bill addressed integrating yeshiva students into military or national service, but the enacted amendment significantly altered the subject, justifying the petitioners' claims.

The government's absence is expected to shorten the hearing, as a previous similar no-show led to a full cancellation by then-President Isaac Amit. The court is set to continue deliberations on the petitions against the draft freeze law affecting the ultra-Orthodox community.