71,000 Israeli soldiers evade mandatory military conscription

QUDS, Feb. 02 (YPA) – Almost 71,000 Israeli soldiers who evaded mandatory military conscription, around 80% belong to the Haredi religious community, according to recent official Israeli data.

In response, the Israeli government’s legal adviser, Gali Baharav-Miara, convened a high-level meeting with senior judicial and military officials to discuss the implementation of a June 25, 2024 Supreme Court ruling.

The decision requires yeshiva students to enlist and withholds state funding from religious institutions that refuse to comply with conscription laws.

The meeting identified major coordination challenges between security agencies. Military representatives noted that military police often lack authorization to make arrests in Haredi neighborhoods. Concerns were also raised about the release of draft evaders without referral to military authorities.

Participants criticized what they described as a “worryingly selective application of the law,” arguing that current enforcement practices appear to discriminate against certain groups while showing undue leniency toward others.

The Haredi community, which constitutes roughly 13% of Israel’s population, continues to oppose compulsory military service on religious grounds. Many community members view conscription as a threat to their religious identity and their traditional focus on Torah study.

AA