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.
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