Ultra-Orthodox draft

'We do whatever they say': Yeshiva students defer to rabbis over response to IDF draft enforcement

When a group of young men was asked whether some yeshiva students wanted to enlist but refrained because their rabbis forbade it, several agreed, with one answering, “of course.”

Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews attend an election rally organized by the United Torah Judaism party in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, central Israel, two days ahead of Israel’s general elections, October 25, 2026.
Moti Leitner, chairman of the Haredi Public party, party members and supporters attend the launch of the party’s election campaign ahead of the upcoming Israeli general elections in Beit Shemesh, August 23, 2026.

'We will get them': Haredi Public Party leader vows to help fill IDF manpower shortage

Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men at the Tel Hashomer IDF base, August 30, 2026.

Israel's attorney-general urges High Court to cut benefits for 110,000 draft evaders

Members of the Chabad community at Ben-Gurion Airport, October 20, 2026.

IDF detains 42 Chabad Hassidic draft evaders arriving from New York at Ben-Gurion Airport


Netanyahu: Arrests of haredi draft evaders 'unacceptable,' undermine IDF enlistment efforts

"This is unacceptable. We need to preserve the world of Torah study because it has preserved us," the prime minister told Kol Barama during a Tuesday morning radio interview.

Prime Minister and Likud party chairman Benjamin Netanyahu visits supporters in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, ahead of Israel’s upcoming general elections, October 14, 2026

Stun grenades, water cannon deployed to disperse haredi protesters blocking Highway 4 near Yavne

The highway was reopened to traffic after about two hours of protests, which were sparked by the arrests of two IDF draft evaders over the weekend.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men clash with police officers and civilians as they block a road during a protest against the jailing of yeshiva students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order, at the Yavne Interchange on Route 4, October 18, 2026.

Two haredi protesters arrested after attempting to break into IDF office in Bnei Brak

The office belonged to the IDF's Kodkod program, which allows haredi men aged 23 and older who are not eligible for combat service to serve in technology-related positions in the IDF.

Haredi draft protesters attempt to break into IDF office in Bnei Brak, October 14, 2026.

Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox children pulled from school to protest draft evader arrests in Prison 10

Footage circulating on social media appears to show a teacher reading out the names of the arrested draft dodgers, having the students repeat each one after him. 

Breslov children brought to protest outside of Military Prison 10, October 12, 2026.

Haredi demonstrator dragged by vehicle as mass anti-draft protests erupt across central Israel

Thousands of protesters bring traffic to a halt across Jerusalem, on Highway 4 • Demonstrators disrupt Shas election campaign conference in Modi'in Illit • Rioters attack light rail construction

Ultra-Orthodox protester holding a sign reading "Either Haredi or the army" during an anti-draft protest on Highway 4, October 8, 2026.

Israel Police criticize Military Police over handling of Modi'in draft dodger arrest after riot

Modi'in Mayor Haim Bibas, who also serves as chairman of the Local Authorities Federation, called on the police and the military to review their conduct.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish protesters demonstrate against an IDF recruitment conference for the Haredi community in Jerusalem, August 4, 2026.

IDF expected to resume draft evader operations as High Court deadline approaches

Military prosecutors said they were advancing measures to shorten the evasion period before criminal charges may be filed from 18 months to one year.

Illustrative: Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men block a road and clash with police during a protest against the jailing of yeshiva students who failed to comply with Israeli military draft orders, in Jerusalem, August 2, 2026.

Bennett vows to pass 'Deri Law' barring draft evaders from Israel's security cabinet in next gov't

Though Shas's Arye Deri served briefly in the IDF, the party has come under fire over its stance on haredi conscription to the IDF amid the military’s severe manpower shortage.

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett at the ICT’s Shabtai Shavit International Conference on Counter-Terrorism at Reichman University.

Haredi protest erupts in Modi'in after Military Police move to arrest draft dodger

Footage of the scene shared by Israeli media showed numerous haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men protesting and clashing with police officers.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish protesters demonstrate against an IDF recruitment conference for the Haredi community in Jerusalem, August 4, 2026.

'Rather die than be drafted': Thousands take to Jerusalem's streets in haredi anti-draft march

The march is taking place in the Kikar HaShabbat area, the along Shmuel HaNavi and Bar Ilan streets in the capital city.

Ultra-Orthodox (haredi) protesters hold signs at a massive anti-draft march in Jerusalem, September 29, 2026.