Israeli Supreme Court orders the government to formulate criminal enforcement measures against IDF draft dodgers

The Israeli Supreme Court issued today (Wednesday) an order instructing the government to formulate within 45 days an effective enforcement policy against Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) individuals obligated to enlist who evade military service in the IDF.

According to the order, which was unanimously agreed upon by the justices, the court requires the government to establish criminal enforcement measures to uphold the IDF Draft law, in addition to complementary economic-civilian measures – such as denying benefits, including subsidies.

The court criticized state authorities: “The conduct of the authorities is not far from a complete abandonment of the enforcement of the draft obligation regarding members of the Haredi public.” The order states that the state must “act diligently and as swiftly as possible to initiate real criminal proceedings against those who have been classified as draft evaders among the Haredi public.”

Earlier this morning, the leaders of the Lithuanian-Haredi community, Rabbi Lando and Rabbi Hirsch, informed Knesset members from the Degel HaTorah party that the decision had been made to give a “green light” to advance the draft law in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee as soon as possible. The law itself has not yet advanced in the committee due to a voting boycott by the Haredi parties in the coalition, as they awaited instructions from the rabbis – particularly Rabbi Lando.

Likud criticized Degel HaTorah’s announcement, saying they expected a clear answer either for or against the law. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s party is currently unwilling to bear the public cost as long as there is no certainty regarding the feasibility of the draft law.

Minister and member of the Security Cabinet Gila Gamliel commented in an interview with Esti Perez Ben-Ami on the program “At Noon” regarding the Degel HaTorah rabbis’ announcement about the draft law: “We hoped that after October 7 there would be more openness. We understand that we are entering a process. We need to begin moving things forward so that as many Haredim as possible integrate – ultimately, those who are not studying should enlist. Before October 7, the army was less prepared to absorb Haredim.”