Army halts arrests of ultra-Orthodox Haredi Jews draft dodgers: Israeli newspaper

The Israeli army has halted arrests of ultra-Orthodox Haredi Jews wanted for failing to comply with military draft orders amid concerns that the arrests could trigger protests, according to Israeli media.

Haaretz reported Friday that the army had decided to suspend arrests of Haredi draft dodgers over fears of unrest and protests across the country as Israeli elections approach.

The army attributed the move to “operational needs,” without providing further details, according to the newspaper.

Haaretz said arrests had been extremely limited even before the decision was taken.

According to figures cited in an Israeli Supreme Court ruling, only 16 Haredi draft dodgers were arrested during the first half of 2026, the newspaper said.

Haaretz cited unnamed police sources as saying that “there are no plans to resume them in the near future.”

The sources said arresting wanted individuals requires the deployment of large police forces and that the suspension was initiated by the military police.

According to Haaretz, the decision on whether to carry out arrests rests with the army, while the police are responsible only for implementing them.

“The suspension has coincided with a halt in ultra-Orthodox protests against the military,” the newspaper noted.

Haredi Jews continue to protest against military service following a Supreme Court ruling on June 25, 2024, requiring them to enlist and barring financial support for religious institutions whose students refuse military service.

Haredim make up around 13% of Israel’s population of 10 million and oppose military service on the grounds that they devote their lives to studying the Torah.

Senior rabbis, whose followers view their rulings as religious directives, have called on Haredi men to refuse enlistment and even to “tear up” draft orders.

They also argue that integration into secular society threatens their religious identity and the continuity of their community.

For decades, members of the Haredi community were able to avoid military service after turning 18 by repeatedly obtaining deferments on the grounds that they were studying at religious seminaries until reaching the exemption age, currently 26.

The decision came about 33 days before Israeli elections scheduled for October amid sharp domestic political debate over Netanyahu government policies.