not everywhere· Politics· Updated 11:37

Israel Accused of Delaying Benefits Cut for Haredi Draft Dodgers

The Israeli government has delayed for months the revocation of municipal property tax (Arnona) and public transportation discounts for Haredi men who evade military service. This delay persists despite a High Court of Justice order from April that mandated a decision on the matter within 35 days, and professional assessments from the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Finance finding no obstacles to removing the subsidies. Officials believe revoking these benefits, which are worth hundreds of shekels monthly per family, could incentivize enlistment.

3 newsrooms · 2 languages · since 07:43

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What happened

01The Israeli government is delaying the revocation of Arnona and public transportation discounts for Haredi draft evaders despite a High Court order.
02Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara will update the High Court on Monday regarding the government's failure to implement the benefit cuts.
03The High Court of Justice ordered the government in April to make a decision on revoking these discounts within 35 days.
04The number of draft evaders in Israel has surged to 110,000, with the IDF estimating that 80% are from the Haredi community.
05Professional assessments from the finance and transportation ministries found no obstacles to revoking the public transport subsidies.
06The government blames the delay in revoking Arnona discounts on the lack of an Interior Minister, despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holding those powers.
07While ministers delay personal discount cuts, the Tax Authority has begun revoking tax benefits for yeshivas attended by draft evaders.
08Extremist Haredim blocked Highway 4 to protest the arrests of draft evaders who refuse to enlist.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara is set to update the High Court on Monday regarding the government's failure to implement these measures. While the Tax Authority has begun revoking tax benefits for yeshivas attended by draft evaders, government ministers have not acted on personal discounts. Transportation Minister Miri Regev and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich received professional recommendations months ago supporting the revocation of public transport discounts, but no steps have been taken.

Regarding the Arnona discounts, the government has cited the absence of a permanent Interior Minister as the reason for the delay. Although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assumed the powers of the Interior Ministry, he has not addressed the issue, and the ministry's director-general lacks the authority to make the decision. Meanwhile, the number of draft evaders in Israel has surged to 110,000, with the IDF estimating that 80% are from the Haredi community. Extremist Haredim recently blocked Highway 4 to protest the arrests of draft evaders.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated 11:41

Latest report: Kan News. Read Kan News’s original