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Israel’s Top Court Orders Penalties Tied to Draft Compliance for Ultra-Orthodox Men

The ruling tests judicial power to force enforcement by tying state discounts to draft compliance.

Overview

  • Military Police, which detained a yeshiva student Monday in Jerusalem, carried out the first proactive arrest of a draft evader since the recent military operation began.
  • The court listed housing, daycare, after-school, public transport, and municipal tax discounts to be conditioned on draft status, set 21- and 35-day review deadlines for ministries, and required a progress report by June 1.
  • The justices rebuked the Israel Police for negligible enforcement and directed officers to assist the IDF and detain draft evaders encountered during routine checks.
  • Senior officials and Haredi leaders rejected the move, as Justice Minister Yariv Levin accused the court of overreach and prominent rabbis said yeshiva students would not enlist.
  • Protests escalated as ultra-Orthodox activists entered the military police chief’s yard in Ashkelon, which drew public condemnation from the prime minister and the defense minister.