Ultra-Orthodox Party Submits Draft Laws on Haredi Draft Deferrals

The first bill proposes a permanent arrangement allowing the Defense Minister to grant one-year military service deferments to yeshiva students studying at least 45 hours per week, or kollel scholars studying at least 40 hours weekly. These deferments would be renewable annually until the student reaches the age of 26, at which point they would receive a full exemption from mandatory service. The bill also includes transitional measures to halt ongoing legal proceedings and prevent the prosecution of students who met study requirements before the previous law expired.

The second proposal, an urgent temporary measure titled the "Arrest Freeze Law," seeks to halt all arrests, investigations, and criminal enforcement actions against draft-evading yeshiva students for one year. This freeze would apply to students whose enlistment dates fell from July 2023 onwards, provided they declare they study at least 45 hours weekly and do not engage in other work. The explanatory notes describe the bill as a response to a Jewish and social emergency causing deep unrest and a sense of persecution.

According to Kipa, these legislative moves are linked to United Torah Judaism's potential entry into a government led by Gadi Eisenkot. The party is demanding an immediate resolution to the yeshiva student draft issue as a condition for joining the coalition.