Israeli Supreme Court Hears Arguments to Cancel Law Freezing Arrests of Draft Dodgers

The Israeli Supreme Court concluded a hearing on July 28, 2026, regarding a controversial law that freezes the arrest of draft dodgers, primarily targeting ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students. The government notably chose not to send a representative to defend the law. Instead, attorney Natan Rozenlevet, speaking as a member of the ultra-Orthodox community though not officially representing the respondents, defended the law, highlighting perceived discrimination against Haredim in the judicial system.

The court heard from multiple legal representatives, including Attorney Enar Helman, representing the position of the State Attorney Gali Baharav-Miara, who argued the law is flawed, discriminatory in criminal enforcement, and violates Israel's Basic Laws. Helman emphasized that the law effectively exempts draft dodgers from military service by preventing legal proceedings against them, which is inappropriate especially during wartime when the military is short of 12,000 soldiers.

Attorney Yitzhak Bert, representing the Knesset's legal advisor, stated that the law was passed in violation of parliamentary procedures and Basic Laws, and therefore must be annulled. He clarified that the legal advisor's role is to defend the legislation, not the individual Knesset members who voted for it. The law was passed on July 14, 2026, with 58 votes in favor and 54 against, but was immediately frozen by the Supreme Court pending review.

Nine Supreme Court justices, including Deputy President Noam Sohlberg and Justices Dafna Barak-Erez and Yael Wilner, will decide on the petitions. The court's interim order suspending the law's implementation was issued shortly after its passage, citing concerns about its discriminatory nature and impact on Israel's security needs.

Ahead of the hearing, activists from the "Brothers in Arms" movement displayed signs naming Knesset members who supported the law, criticizing them for exempting a segment of the population from military enforcement while reservists bear heavy burdens. The State Attorney has requested the court to make the interim suspension permanent, effectively annulling the law.