Haredi draft dodgers should avoid airports, border crossings to evade arrest, yeshiva council warns

The Vaad Hayeshivos (Council of Yeshivas) has issued a warning to ultra-Orthodox (haredi) draft dodgers, advising them to avoid airports and border crossings to prevent arrest. The council stressed that individuals over 18 whose draft dates have passed must ensure they have clearance to travel abroad.

This advisory is particularly relevant as it precedes the Tisha B'Av holiday and occurs during the yeshiva semester break. The warning follows several anti-draft protests that have taken place recently, including demonstrations on Monday where protesters blocked roads in various locations.

Thousands of ultra-Orthodox men, primarily from the Gur Hasidic sect, have been protesting the jailing of seminary students who failed to comply with army recruitment orders. Demonstrations have occurred at military prisons and outside the Attorney-General's home. Reports indicate that hundreds of demonstrators gathered at Military Prison 10 in Beit Lid, with expectations of thousands more arriving from across the country.

Some protesters have resorted to blocking major roads in cities like Beit Shemesh and Jerusalem. In one instance, protesters reportedly attacked an IDF reservist walking his dog. The council also emphasized that haredi students under 18 seeking military service exemptions must only use official IDF recruitment offices.