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🇮🇱 Israel /Elections & Politics

Haredi draft question should be decided by voters, not outgoing lawmakers

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Opinion Sources not specified Context piece
  • The Israeli Knesset passed a bill freezing arrests of ultra-Orthodox draft evaders for six months, with 58 lawmakers voting in favor and 54 against.
  • The High Court of Justice intervened, issuing a provisional order suspending the law due to concerns about unequal treatment under the law.
  • The editorial criticizes the legislation as an irresponsible political maneuver that avoids confronting calls for equality in national service and could harm the IDF's manpower needs.

The Israeli Knesset has passed a controversial bill to freeze arrests of ultra-Orthodox draft evaders for at least six months, a move that has drawn sharp criticism and immediate judicial intervention. The legislation, which passed with a narrow 58-54 vote, was seen by many as a political maneuver by the outgoing coalition to retain support from the Haredi sector for future elections.

The High Court was right to act swiftly to protect equal treatment under the law.

— JPOST EDITORIALThe editorial supports the High Court's intervention in the controversial draft evasion law.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose presence in the plenum led to clashes with the opposition, left before the vote. The bill's passage was met with cries of "disgrace" from bereaved families and IDF reservists. Critics argue that the coalition is avoiding the core issue of equal burden-sharing for national service, instead shielding one segment of the population from enforcement while others continue to serve.

The High Court of Justice swiftly intervened, issuing a provisional order to suspend the law. Justice Ofer Grosskopf cited the implications of freezing enforcement proceedings for "only certain sections of the population" as a key reason for the intervention. The court's decision underscores the principle of equal treatment under the law, questioning why an 18-year-old in one city might face military prison for draft evasion while another, just miles away, is exempt.

Why should an 18-year-old in Bnei Brak be free to ignore a draft order while another 18-year-old, five minutes away in Ramat Gan, could face military prison for doing exactly the same?

— JPOST EDITORIALThe editorial highlights the unequal enforcement of draft laws.

The editorial argues that this legislation is a remarkably poor strategy if the government aims to convince the public that the High Court is overstepping its authority. It also reminds the coalition of its responsibility, particularly in light of the ongoing war and severe manpower shortages within the IDF. Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir had warned lawmakers that the bill could lead to the army "collapsing into itself."

the army risks “collapsing into itself” if those shortages are not addressed.

— Lt.-Gen. Eyal ZamirThe IDF Chief of Staff warned lawmakers about the severe manpower shortages.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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