Haredi parties to advance bill granting draft evaders equal rights to IDF soldiers

Haredi parties in Israel are pushing forward a controversial bill that would grant draft evaders the same rights as IDF soldiers. The proposed legislation, sponsored by Shas and United Torah Judaism, aims to enshrine in Basic Law that long-term Torah study is considered meaningful service to the state.

This recognition would impact the rights and benefits afforded to ultra-Orthodox men who evade military service, and could influence the enforcement of their conscription. The bill is also intended to address a High Court of Justice ruling that invalidated previous arrangements for haredim avoiding service. "Whoever undertakes to devote themselves to Torah study for a significant period of time will be considered as those who are serving," the bill's proposal states.

“

Precisely in these days, when the people of Israel need more merit for success in the campaign against their enemies, we are demanding that the Basic Law: Torah Study be brought to a vote as early as this week, as a condition for supporting any other legislation.

Shas party leader Aryeh Deri has demanded the rapid advancement of the legislation, making its passage a condition for his party's support of coalition votes. He urged lawmakers in the "faith block" to unite behind the law, especially during the current conflict with Iran, stating it would bring "more merit for success in the campaign against their enemies."

The push for this legislation comes despite repeated warnings from the IDF about an urgent manpower shortage, exacerbated by over two years of war. IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir has cautioned that the army could collapse without a solution to this shortage. The bill's advancement has drawn sharp condemnation from various lawmakers, with some labeling it an "exemption law on steroids."

“

whoever undertakes to devote themselves to Torah study for a significant period of time will be considered as those who are serving.