Draft law on haredi draft dodgers substantially revised before parliament debate

A controversial proposed law that would suspend arrests of ultra-Orthodox men evading military service has undergone significant changes ahead of parliamentary discussions. The amendments go well beyond previously reported modifications to time limits, with lawmakers removing a clause that would have restricted yeshivas—Jewish seminaries—from claiming exemption status for their students if even five pupils at the institution had been penalised.

The revisions represent a major shift in how the legislation would handle enforcement against haredi (ultra-Orthodox) communities. Under the original framework, yeshivas with disciplinary violations among their student body would have faced restrictions on their ability to certify other students as entitled to religious study exemptions from mandatory military service. The removal of this provision significantly weakens potential accountability mechanisms.

A critical question now looms over implementation: what will happen to yeshivas where investigations reveal that students are not genuinely engaged in Torah study? The revised bill appears to leave this enforcement gap unresolved, raising concerns among critics that the legislation could become another measure that prioritises political considerations over the principle of equal military obligation.

The changes underscore the ongoing tensions between Israel’s secular majority and its haredi minority over military service requirements—an issue that has plagued Israeli governments for decades. As the bill moves towards its first parliamentary reading, these amendments suggest the government may be softening its approach to enforcement in order to maintain coalition support from haredi political parties.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.