Draft

Netanyahu accuses opposition of hypocrisy over haredi draft law amid coalition talks

Netanyahu accused Eisenkot and the opposition bloc of courting haredi parties despite their previous opposition to legislation regulating haredi military service.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara Netanyahu, speak with members of the public in the city of Beit Shemesh, just hours before polls close on Israel’s general election day, October 27, 2026.
Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews attend an election rally organized by the United Torah Judaism party in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, central Israel, two days ahead of Israel’s general elections, October 25, 2026.

'We do whatever they say': Yeshiva students defer to rabbis over response to IDF draft enforcement

Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men at the Tel Hashomer IDF base, August 30, 2026.

Israel's attorney-general urges High Court to cut benefits for 110,000 draft evaders

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men block a road and clash with police during a protest against the jailing of yeshiva students who failed to comply with Israeli military draft orders, in Jerusalem, August 2, 2026.

Israel Police says 143 draft evaders were released as IDF failed to meet detention deadlines


Netanyahu can't campaign against draft-evasion law he just backed - editorial

The haredi public is a vital part of Israel, but that does not justify mass exemption during a sustained national-security emergency.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a vote at the plenum hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on July 16, 2026.

High Court maintains freeze on law limiting enforcement against haredi draft dodgers

The interim order issued on Tuesday followed a hearing held just a few hours earlier, during which the nine-member panel heard from the different sides represented in the case.

The Supreme Court convenes to maintain the freeze on the law limiting enforcement against haredi (ultra-Orthodox) draft dodgers, July 28, 2026.

'Abandoning values': Yoaz Hendel accuses Religious Zionist Party of encouraging mass draft evasion

The former minister rejected reliance on Arab and haredi parties, called for a broad Zionist government, and said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should leave office.

Reservists Party leader Yoaz Hendel presents national PTSD recovery plan after October 7, May 10, 2026.

Haredi draft dodgers should avoid airports, border crossings to evade arrest, yeshiva council warns

It added that yeshiva students who wish to travel abroad and have not shown up for their draft order must ensure they are allowed to fly and will not be arrested at the airport.

Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protesters block Highway 4 near Bnei Brak during an anti-draft protest, December 22, 2025.

Hundreds of haredim protest outside military prison following draft dodger arrest

The arrested hassidic man had earlier arrived at a draft office to arrange an exemption from service before being sentenced to 20 days in prison, according to the report.

Thousands of Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men from the Gur (Hasidic dynasty) protest outside Military Prison near Kfar Yona, central Israel, against the jailing of seminary students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order, July 20, 2026.

Israel just gave Torah study a constitution. It should have given its soldiers one - opinion

Without Torah, there would be no Jewish people. Without the Jewish people, there is no State of Israel. That is precisely why what the Knesset has done is so offensive.

 NETZAH YEHUDA soldiers at the dedication of a Torah scroll at the Erez Crossing.

Knesset passes bill to extend mandatory military service to 32 months to 'meet IDF's goals'

The passage of the bill comes amid the coalition's legislative blitz before the Knesset recesses ahead of the upcoming elections. Forty-three MKs voted in favor, with 12 against and one abstention.

A vote at the plenum hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on July 16, 2026.

Are there other lessons from October 7? - opinion

The October 7 massacre fell on 22 Tishrei – Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, two days that signify the highest joy: one completing the festival of Sukkot, the other our rejoicing in the Torah itself

Rabbi Baruch Mordechai Ezrachi delivers a torah lesson at Ateret Yisrael Yeshiva in Jerusalem, November 19, 2019.

The haredi draft question should be decided by voters, not outgoing lawmakers - editorial

Israelis, regardless of their political affiliation, cannot reasonably be expected to support legislation that even the prime minister could not bring himself to vote for.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews scuffle with police during a protest against the drafting of haredi jews, outside an IDF Recruitment Center in Jeursalem, November 12, 2025

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has a duty to warn the government about draft evasion - editorial

Active-duty generals, as a rule, should stay out of politics, but every rule has its exception.

Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Eyal Zamir, arrives to attend a wreath laying ceremony at Warsaw Ghetto Square at Yad Vashem on April 14, 2026 in Jerusalem, Israel.