Last minute legislation: Knesset halts arrests of ultra-Orthodox draft evaders despite IDF manpower crisis

Just days before the current Knesset term ends, lawmakers on Tuesday approved legislation temporarily halting the arrest of ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) yeshiva students who ignore IDF draft orders.

The bill passed 58-54, ensuring that until Nov. 30, police will not arrest Haredi men who fail to respond to enlistment notices. Because legislation approved at the close of a Knesset session is automatically extended under parliamentary procedure, the measure is expected to remain in effect for at least six months. With national elections scheduled for Oct. 27, the law could be extended further depending on the makeup of the next government.

The legislation was approved despite weeks of protests by IDF reservists, veterans and families of soldiers killed during the nearly three years of fighting that began with Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Knesset legal advisors and other legal officials also warned that the measure is likely to be challenged before the High Court of Justice, with petitions filed shortly after its passage.

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has also warned in recent days that the Israeli military is on the verge of exhaustion after nearly 33 months of mobilization, which has seen the most intense period of action since the founding of the modern State of Israel. He and other IDF officers have been warning for over a year that the manpower shortages are straining the system beyond all limits and more soldiers are needed as soon as possible, with the Haredi population being the only possible source of that needed additional manpower.

Haredi leaders, however, have continued to reject compulsory military service for their students. Their position was reinforced by a Basic Law enacted this week recognizing Torah study as a core national value. Supporters say the measure protects the ultra-Orthodox community's religious way of life, while critics argue it further entrenches military exemptions.

The debate spilled into the Knesset chamber during Tuesday's vote. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left the plenum shortly after arriving as lawmakers exchanged heated accusations. Earlier, Knesset Legal Advisor Sagit Afik urged members with relatives who could personally benefit from the legislation to disclose potential conflicts of interest before voting. The Haredi parties – Shas and United Torah Judaism – acknowledged that several of their lawmakers had family members who could be affected by the bill.

The measure also exposed divisions within the governing coalition. Likud party Knesset Members Dan Illouz and Yuli Edelstein voted against the bill, as did Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel of New Hope-United Right party. Following the vote, Haskel announced her resignation from her deputy ministerial post in protest.

Public opinion polls have consistently shown broad opposition to exempting Haredi men from military service, particularly as reservists continue to shoulder repeated deployments.

Stas Magerovski, an IDF reservist from Bat Yam who has spent more than 400 days on reserve duty over the past three years and served in both Gaza and Lebanon, told ALL ISRAEL NEWS that the legislation reflects growing frustration among many reservists.

"This country is becoming so dysfunctional," lamented Magerovski, who believes that Netanyahu has been in power too long.

"He should retire and give someone else a chance so that they can try to fix things, without giving so much away to the Haredim. It is very demoralizing for those of us who served so much time in the reserves to see the Haredim getting away with not serving at all. We feel like friars (suckers) and there’s a lot of anger but also a lot of despair."

Magerovski added that some ultra-Orthodox leaders have argued they would rather leave Israel than accept compulsory military service.

"I say let them go! I’ll even help them pack up their stuff. I know many others who feel the same way. They should go, and so should Bibi. This country would be a much better place to live without them."