Yehadut HaTorah Chair Advises Haredi Youth to Seek IDF Exemption Amid Draft Crisis

Yehadut HaTorah party chairman Itzhak Goldknopf was recorded advising a young Haredi man to obtain an exemption from IDF service through acquaintances who facilitate such exemptions. When the youth asked whether he should wait for legislation to regulate the exemption, Goldknopf responded that his party is not currently part of the government and uncertain about future coalitions. Pressed on what to do, Goldknopf simply said, "Do it." This exchange highlights the ongoing impasse faced by Haredi lawmakers, who have failed to resolve the draft crisis while sanctions against draft dodgers remain in place, including the risk of arrest.

The Haredi community widely uses a system of fictitious exemptions from military service. Yehadut HaTorah claimed Goldknopf believed the young man had cognitive difficulties and was advising a medical exemption, denying any encouragement of fraudulent claims. However, the youth is reportedly physically and mentally healthy and studies at a respected Lithuanian yeshiva.

Separately, government leaders recently decided to abandon legislation that would cancel arrests of draft dodgers. Behind the scenes, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, and Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs met to discuss responses to petitions against the law. The Supreme Court issued an interim injunction freezing the law after a hearing at which the government chose not to send a representative. Fuchs emphasized the need for Haredi recruits rather than detainees. Additionally, the Supreme Court suspended changes to the Communications Law, while the Basic Law on Torah Study was approved by the Knesset committee.