Detentions of ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers begin in Israel
Protests of the ultra-Orthodox against conscription in Jerusalem. Photo: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90
On May 13, 2025, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched an operation to detain draft dodgers who failed to report for military service. According to maariv.co.il, dozens of ultra-Orthodox Jews were among those arrested.
It is noted that such large-scale operations had not been conducted before. Military police carried out arrests in Elad, Bnei Brak, Ashdod, and Jerusalem.
Religious parties immediately declared that they would leave the government if even one ultra-Orthodox man were arrested.
“As soon as an operation is conducted to arrest yeshiva students, and any students are detained, it will be a matter of minutes or hours before we leave the coalition,” local media quoted ultra-Orthodox politicians as saying.
As previously reported, Israel’s rabbis have urged young ultra-Orthodox men to ignore draft notices.
Read also
"Parishioners" brought to Lavra by buses on Epifaniy's name day, media
People from different regions were brought in an organized manner to the "service" of the head of the OCU at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
Yermak consults fortune teller before important appointments, prosecutor says
Private correspondence with a fortune teller was found with the former head of the President's Office, in which he coordinated personnel decisions.
SBU searches home of Metropolitan Longin’s daughter
Law enforcement officers detained the hierarch's son-in-law, who has many children, and refused to allow a lawyer to participate in investigative actions at the family's private home.
Vienna hosts regional congress of Ukrainian Orthodox youth
Youth from seven European countries discussed the spiritual foundations of democracy and prayed for peace in Ukraine before a particle of the Life-Giving Cross.
Persecuted UOC community in Zadubrivka celebrates patronal feast
The faithful celebrated the Liturgy in a house church and held a water-blessing service at the site where a new church in honor of Venerable Amphilochius of Pochaiv is being built.
Thousands of faithful gather at Pochaiv Lavra for feast of St Amphilochius
The pilgrimage to the relics of Venerable Amphilochius of Pochaiv on his feast day is a long-standing tradition of the UOC.