IDF Enforces Aryeh Deri’s Arrest Law Despite Supreme Court Freeze

In a recent interview on Channel 12, Yishai Cohen, commentator for Kikar HaShabbat, highlighted a discrepancy between official statements and actual practice regarding the arrest of yeshiva students under the controversial law promoted by Shas leader Aryeh Deri. Although the law, designed to prevent the arrest of Torah students classified as draft evaders for about six months, was frozen by the Supreme Court through an interim injunction, the Israel Defense Forces continue to implement it strictly. Cohen noted that while the military police refrain from arresting yeshiva students, even during the 'bein hazmanim' vacation period when some students are not in yeshiva, the IDF overall enforces the law diligently.

The Supreme Court, sitting as an expanded panel of nine justices, considered the arguments carefully and decided to halt the law's application until a final ruling is issued. Government legal representatives and the Knesset legal advisor firmly opposed the law, with Attorney Enar Helman describing it as "invalid and harmful," failing to meet any constitutional limitation criteria. Notably, the government chose not to present a defense during the hearing, reflecting a belief that the court would invalidate the law regardless.

Aryeh Deri openly expressed distrust in the Supreme Court, stating in a Kikar HaShabbat interview that they anticipated the law's rejection and thus saw no point in mounting a defense. This political and legal controversy continues amid broader debates over the military draft and exemptions for yeshiva students in Israel.