Orthodox Students Detained at Ben Gurion Airport Face Jail or Service

The students had participated in the "Kבוצה" program, a year-long study period at the Chabad World Center established in 1962. While the IDF historically recognized the program and allowed students to study abroad, these special arrangements were automatically canceled due to the absence of a conscription law regulating the status of yeshiva students.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the arrests as unacceptable, calling them a deliberate attempt to harm voluntary Haredi enlistment, though he added that those not studying should enlist. The Shas party also denounced the detentions as a political intervention, and Knesset Member Inon Azulai negotiated with senior IDF officials for their release. Meanwhile, opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Avigdor Lieberman criticized Netanyahu, accusing him of making deals for political survival.

While some of the detained students were subsequently released, others were transferred to military custody. Chabad Hasidim began organizing large protests against the detentions, with the IDF anticipating demonstrations around recruitment centers in Tel HaShomer and Prison 10 in Kfar Yona. The IDF stated that the individuals are obligated to enlist and will be judged according to the law.