Deserters

Ultra-Orthodox extremists blocked Route 4 near Gan Yavne on Sunday to protest the arrest of two military deserters. The flash protest follows rising tensions over IDF conscription enforcement.

The IDF and Israel Police have clashed over the cancellation of a major operation to arrest ultra-Orthodox draft evaders, amid an ongoing dispute regarding security responsibilities and civil unrest.

A new ultra-Orthodox crowdfunding initiative offers military deserters 1,000 shekels per day in prison, drawing sharp condemnation from Israeli opposition leaders.

The IDF admitted to halting proactive arrests of deserters, contradicting earlier statements, as Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon rebuked the military for compromising security needs.

The number of ultra-Orthodox draft evaders detained in military prison has peaked at around 70, mostly arrested at border crossings as proactive neighborhood raids cease amid security and police constraints.

United Torah Judaism chairman Yitzhak Goldknopf has called for easing detention conditions for ultra-Orthodox deserters arrested for failing to enlist in the IDF. Following a visit to Prison 10, he stated that "they should spend the holidays at home," adding that the detainees "are hungry and not feeling well."

After the method of obtaining exemptions using medical documents during designated recruitment days was exposed, the IDF changed the procedure. Now, deserters claiming serious medical issues fear they will be harmed by the new policy. The IDF's response has not yet been received.

At the peak of the rush and moments before the airlift to Uman, ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers were caught by Ben Gurion Airport security teams. A check revealed active draft orders preventing their departure from the country.

With military police at the airport - and a dedicated detention vehicle: the plan formulated to close security loopholes exploited under the cover of heavy congestion at Ben Gurion Airport.

The Supreme Court froze the law exempting Haredim from arrest, but in the last month, proactive efforts to locate young men required for conscription have been significantly reduced. 40 Haredi deserters are in military prison, more than half of them identified while trying to board flights to Europe. The IDF blames the police, who in turn claim they are following the existing procedure.

The IDF removed an AI-generated video from its official Instagram page that advised Haredi deserters on how to avoid arrest at the airport. The military stated the content was uploaded against official guidelines and has launched an investigation.

Dozens of deserters have already been arrested while attempting to travel to Uman. An emerging initiative suggests that hundreds of Breslov Hasidim will arrive simultaneously to force the army to choose between mass arrests and releasing them. The goal is to break the “siege” at Ben Gurion Airport.

A new move by the Population and Immigration Authority is intended to eliminate the 'tailgating' loophole at automatic checkpoints.

Five petitions were filed against the amendment to the Security Service Law passed by the coalition, which freezes criminal enforcement against Haredi deserters. The Attorney General and the Knesset's legal counsel believe the legislation should be cancelled, and the Supreme Court has already ordered a freeze on its entry into force until a decision is reached.