Bill Freezing Haredi Enlistment Advances in Knesset

Israeli lawmakers have advanced a bill that would freeze the enlistment of Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men into the military for at least seven months. The legislation, which has gained coalition backing, is significantly more expansive than earlier versions and introduces broad protections for draft dodgers.

The bill grants both current and future Haredi men who evade military service immunity from arrest. Furthermore, it mandates the freezing of any existing criminal proceedings against individuals who have not yet enlisted. This measure aims to halt legal actions currently underway concerning draft evasion within the Haredi community.

Adding to the controversy, the legislation reportedly makes oversight of the immunity process impossible. Critics argue this move circumvents accountability and undermines the principle of equal burden-sharing in national service. The bill's progression through the Knesset signals a significant development in the contentious issue of Haredi conscription in Israel.