Knesset passes law banning arrests of Haredi draft dodgers, legitimizing continued mass Haredi non-enlistment

By Ariela Karmel

You will receive email alerts from this author. Manage alert preferences on your profile page

You will no longer receive email alerts from this author. Manage alert preferences on your profile page

14 July 2026, 6:00 pm

2 Edit

Ariela Karmel is a political correspondent at The Times of Israel. She previously reported for Calcalist and Haaretz. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern and African History from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (foreground) walks past ultra-Orthodox MKs as the Knesset prepares to pass a law banning the arrests of draft dodgers that will effectively freeze ultra-Orthodox enlistment into the IDF for at least the next seven months, July 14, 2026. Netanyahu left the chamber before the vote itself. At center, with hands around his mouth, is UTJ MK Meir Porush. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

The Knesset votes 58-54 to pass a coalition-backed law temporarily banning the arrest and prosecution of ultra-Orthodox men evading military service, and thereby legitimizing continued mass Haredi non-enlistment. In practice, the measure will halt most Haredi enlistment to the IDF for at least the next few months.

The law grants tens of thousands of Haredi draft evaders immunity from arrest until November 30, and extends that protection to those who become eligible for military service after it takes effect, effectively eliminating the threat of arrest and making it easier to refuse to enlist during that period. It also suspends ongoing criminal proceedings against those already facing enforcement measures.

Yesterday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir called the proposal “inconceivable,” saying it was “clearly and unequivocally inconsistent with the IDF’s needs” and amounted to “providing mass exemptions from prosecution.”

There are roughly 72,000 Haredi men who were liable to arrest until today, according to figures released in May by the attorney general.

The vote followed an overnight coalition standoff after United Torah Judaism chairman Moshe Gafni demanded the legislation be brought to an immediate vote, threatening to block all other coalition bills until it was advanced. The Knesset debate continued overnight and through the day, with opposition filibustering including 1,748 reservations.

Several coalition lawmakers break ranks to oppose the bill, including Religious Zionism MK Moshe Solomon, Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel and former Likud MKs Yuli Edelstein and Dan Illouz, who recently announced they were leaving the party over the issue.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended part of the debate, drawing cries of “Shame!” and “Leave!” from opposition lawmakers, but left before the vote. Defense Minister Israel Katz’s vote in favor likewise prompted chants of “Shame!” from the opposition.

Netanyahu was branded a “traitor” by an opposition MK when his name was called in his absence.

Opposition leaders continued lobbying coalition lawmakers until the final moments before the vote. According to Channel 12, Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman texted several Likud MKs: “You have nothing to lose. For four years you helped Netanyahu survive. Now help the IDF.”

The legislation, championed by the ultra-Orthodox parties, drew fierce opposition from the IDF, reservists, opposition lawmakers and Knesset legal advisers.