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

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) anticipate initiating proactive enforcement operations against individuals evading military service in October, as noted in a summary from a September 23 meeting at the Justice Ministry. Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Gil Limon stated that the lack of proactive enforcement recently contravenes national security interests and conflicts with the principle of equality, along with commitments to the High Court of Justice and a court ruling overturning a law that barred arrests of yeshiva students.

During the meeting, military officials explained that the absence of enforcement efforts during the recent period was due to authorities focusing on border security and seasonal adjustments. They expect proactive enforcement, including arrests, to resume in October, with coordination between Military Police and Israel Police stations to prepare joint operations and respond to any exceptional incidents.

In a recent operation from September 1 to 22, authorities apprehended 212 draft evaders and deserters, with 163 estimated to be haredi (ultra-Orthodox). All 212 were subjected to disciplinary proceedings, and 64 of the 188 arrested at Ben-Gurion Airport were apprehended after returning to Israel, highlighting concerns about insufficient border enforcement.

The Population and Immigration Authority reported that they promptly addressed identified gaps in border enforcement, transferring relevant cases to either Israel Police or the IDF.

The IDF plans to file 360 indictments against draft evaders between January 1 and September 23, with 49 involving haredi draft evaders, a significant increase compared to 16 as of June. The IDF is also considering measures to reduce the evasion period from 18 months to one year and prosecute deserters after 30 days of induction, although these changes have yet to take effect.

This enforcement plan follows several Supreme Court rulings requiring equal enforcement of the military draft. In June 2024, the court ruled that the government could not refuse to draft yeshiva students since the legal framework for exemptions had expired. In November 2025, a five-justice panel ordered the government to devise an effective enforcement policy within 45 days, encompassing criminal-law enforcement measures and broader economic and civil steps.

The High Court unanimously struck down a law shielding certain haredi yeshiva students from arrest and enforcement proceedings in a recent case. The state must submit its next update to the court by October 15, with a separate meeting planned to address gaps in border controls and enforcement at Ben-Gurion Airport.