AG urges High Court to strike down law freezing arrest of Haredi draft dodgers

Israel's Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has asked the High Court to strike down a controversial law that shields ultra-Orthodox men studying in yeshivas from arrest for draft evasion. Submitting the state's official opinion, Baharav-Miara described the legislation, passed earlier this month, as "flawed and harmful" and "an extreme and clear case of flawed and harmful legislation that does not meet legal standards."

“

an extreme and clear case of flawed and harmful legislation that does not meet legal standards.

She argued that the law establishes a "selective and discriminatory criminal enforcement regime," which directly contradicts the fundamental constitutional principle of equality before the law. The legislation has drawn multiple petitions, with critics highlighting its discriminatory nature: it prevents arrests for Haredi yeshiva students who ignore conscription orders, while continuing arrests for other draft dodgers.

“

a selective and discriminatory criminal enforcement regime, which is diametrically opposed to the fundamental constitutional principle of equality before the law.

The High Court had previously placed a temporary freeze on the law's implementation. Baharav-Miara is now pushing for a complete block. She stated that the government's efforts to exempt the ultra-Orthodox from military service place an "unbearable" burden on those who do serve. The Attorney General believes the law's true purpose is to create a "mechanism of immunity" for a specific group, rather than to resolve the broader conscription issue.

“

mechanism of immunity

The law, which initially banned arrests and enforcement measures against draft dodgers until November 30, is set to extend to February 2027 due to election-related legalities. This comes as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) urgently seeks 12,000 new recruits for its ongoing multifront conflict. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has called the law "inconceivable" and "clearly and unequivocally inconsistent with the IDF's needs," labeling it as "providing mass exemptions from prosecution."

“

inconceivable