Israeli media: 110,000 people evading military service

The number of people classified as evading military service in the Israeli army has risen to around 110,000, up from about 75,000 at the beginning of 2026.

Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported on Sunday evening that the increase followed the activation of tens of thousands of military call-up orders, with the number expected to rise further in the coming period.

According to Israeli army estimates, ultra-Orthodox Jews, known as Haredim, account for around 80 per cent of those currently classified as evading military service.

Despite the unprecedented number and a Supreme Court ruling stressing that the law must be enforced against draft evaders, enforcement measures remain largely frozen, with only limited exceptions.

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In addition to those arrested at Ben Gurion Airport, the authorities arrested, during random campaigns, 14 Haredi Jewish evaders from service, and 13 other non-Haredim.

A large-scale enforcement operation was planned for this month but was cancelled following a dispute between the police and the army over the division of responsibilities.

The police requested 300 soldiers to assist with the arrests, but the army rejected the request, arguing that the task did not fall within its remit.

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