Israel Blocks Escape Route for Draft Dodgers at Ben-Gurion Airport

Israel's Population and Immigration Authority has revised the exit procedures at Ben-Gurion Airport to identify individuals with exit bans, including draft-dodging ultra-Orthodox men, during the check-in stage rather than at passport control. This change aims to prevent thousands of draft evaders from leaving Israel to travel to Uman for Rosh Hashanah, a loophole previously exploited by some through a method called "tailgating," where they would pass through automated gates alongside authorized passengers. Under the new system, travelers with exit bans cannot complete their flight check-in, and airlines are immediately notified, effectively blocking their ability to board flights. The authority stated that this improvement allows those subject to exit bans to be informed earlier in the departure process, enabling them to resolve the issue before attempting to leave the country.