42 Chabad Draft Evaders Detained at Ben Gurion Airport

Israeli police detained 42 young ultra-Orthodox Chabad men at Ben Gurion Airport upon their return from New York, citing military draft evasion.

Twenty-seven detainees agreed to enlist, were deemed fit for service, and received suspended sentences before entering standard draft procedures. Another 13 initially refused cooperation but later signed declarations of intent to enlist. Two additional individuals were sent directly to military prison after dodging service for over 540 days.

Separately, demonstrators blocked the road near the Kfar Saba police station in both directions. Police declared the protest illegal, deployed officers to manage traffic, and worked to restore order while urging motorists to use alternative routes.