Ultra-Orthodox draft

Ofer Winter rejects Goldknopf's demand for universal yeshiva student IDF draft exemption

Winter also called for Goldknopf to stop "deceiving the public," saying that "this system harms first and foremost the true Torah students."

Amcha Yisrael party chairman Ofer Winter speaks during a press conference in Tel Aviv, September 2, 2026.
Police officers stand by as ultra-Orthodox men block a road during a protest against conscription into the IDF in Bnei Brak in August.

High Court strikes down law shielding haredi yeshiva students from arrest over draft evasion

Haredi soldier

IDF reworking food procedures for military bases in effort to allow stricter kashrut standards

Shas chairman Arye Deri attends a vote at the plenum hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on July 16, 2026.

Shas leader Arye Deri claims IDF prefers secular army, haredi soldiers are 'a big headache'


Haredi protesters gather at Maccabim checkpoint over reported draft evader arrest - report

The soldiers at the scene told the crowd that the detainee was in fact an undocumented resident, not a draft evader, the report added.

HAREDI PROTESTERS block Highway 1, June 1, 2026; Illustrative.

Haredi suspect found to be draft dodger after being detained over disruptively loud noise - report

The suspect was released approximately half an hour later, before the Military Police could arrive, an organization that aids haredi draft dodgers stated.

Haredi protesters gather to demand the release of a draft dodger, Ahisamach, August 9, 2026.

Gerrer Rebbe, anti-Zionist Satmar billionaire discussed ICJ action against Israel over haredi draft

In footage released by Channel 13, another participant in the meeting, Emet LeYaakov chairman Israel Gafner, can be heard comparing Israel to North Korea.

Gur Grand Rabbi Yaakov Aryeh Alter seen after a meeting of the Council of Torah Sages regarding the Haredi draft exemption bill in Jerusalem, January 7, 2026.

Exhibition of ultra-Orthodox military draft cartoons vandalized ahead of Animix Festival

A young man wearing a kippah confronted organizers and Tel Aviv Cinematheque CEO Tomer Cohen. They said he tore down and damaged parts of the exhibition before attempting to flee.

Cartoon showing Moses saying, "Don't they teach  this commandment at yeshivas?" and holding a tablet that says, "Thou shalt not vandalize cartoons," created in response to the incident.

Haredi anti-draft protesters demonstrate against new Ma'alot Tzur enlistment program head- report

According to N12, the protesters arrived in organized transportation, stood outside the new head's home, and distributed pashkevilim (broadsides or posters used by the ultra-Orthodox community).

Ultra orthodox Jews protest against the drafting of ultra orthodox jews to the Israeli army, in Jerusalem, July 15, 2026.

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.

From 'better to die' to enlistment: Why haredi draft calculus is shifting - analysis

Despite fierce rabbinic opposition, haredi enlistment is rising. The numbers suggest changing incentives may be altering the draft calculus.

Ultra orthodox Jewish reserve soldiers of the IDF's Hasmonean Brigade operate in the Gaza Strip on June 26, 2025.

ITIM organization asks High Court to bar draft evaders from Rabbinate exam benefits

ITIM asked the High Court to bar men from using yeshiva study completed without regularized military status to qualify for Rabbinate certification.

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

Beyond the haredi draft: What’s really at stake for Israel’s future - opinion

It would be a national mistake if many make one of the most consequential political decisions of their lives based primarily on anger over a single issue, without considering the much broader impact.

 ‘THE HAREDI leadership argues that it is forbidden to draft yeshiva students whose Torah is their profession and that they defend the State of Israel through their studies.’

High Court appears poised to strike down law freezing haredi draft enforcement

Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara on Friday asked the court to strike down the law, arguing that it retains the duty to enlist while removing the consequences for refusal.

The nine-member panel at the High Court of Justice looks on as the hearing opens in Jerusalem.