Israeli Population Authority Blocks Ultra-Orthodox Draft Dodgers From Flying Abroad Early

The Israeli Population and Immigration Authority has implemented a new measure to prevent thousands of ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers from leaving Israel through Ben Gurion Airport. Previously, individuals with exit bans could bypass automatic passport control barriers by using a method called "sticking," where they would pass through with another passenger who had no restrictions. This loophole allowed many to travel, especially to Uman for the Jewish New Year.

Under the new system, exit bans are now enforced at the airline check-in stage, preventing those with outstanding orders from even registering for flights. This early intervention stops individuals from reaching the boarding gate and boarding the plane. The change was first reported on July 29, 2026, by Galei Tzahal and aims to close security gaps exploited by draft evaders.

Ultra-Orthodox organizations have expressed strong opposition to the new policy, arguing it will force thousands of believers to remain in Israel during the holiday season and block their ability to travel abroad as they have in the past. The Population Authority stated that the reform allows those with exit bans to be informed earlier in the departure process, enabling them to resolve their legal issues before attempting to leave the country.

This move reflects ongoing efforts by Israeli authorities to enforce military conscription laws and prevent unauthorized departures, particularly among the ultra-Orthodox community, who often seek to travel to Uman for religious observances.