Army says it launched ‘routine’ raids on draft dodgers from all walks of life

In an official statement, the IDF says it has launched a “routine” Military Police campaign to detain those who ignored enlistment orders following the latest round of call-ups.

“Last night, there was an [arrest] operation close to the draft period as has been carried out previously, in an equal manner across all sects of society and against anyone who did not show up as required,” the IDF says.

The comment comes after a report that the army would launch large-scale arrest raids tomorrow targeting Haredi draft dodgers, which ignited a firestorm of protest among ultra-Orthodox politicians.

The army says the campaign last night was aimed at a total of 36 people evading conscription, and not just ultra-Orthodox men. The IDF first made contact with those not showing up at induction centers, in an attempt to sort the matter out voluntarily, and would only afterward carry out arrests.

It is unclear how many arrests actually took place.

The detainees will either face disciplinary measures or a criminal trial, depending on how long they have ignored draft orders.

In general, the Military Police’s arrest campaigns are aimed at those who have ignored draft orders recently, and therefore will only face disciplinary measures.

It marks the third arrest campaign against draft dodgers since the beginning of the war, with the previous ones taking place in November 2024 and March 2025, according to the army.

The Military Police have been occupied with war-related tasks, therefore only three such operations have been carried out.

The military notes that last week, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir instructed the Personnel Directorate to bring forward an immediate plan to “expand and maximize” the sending out of draft orders to members of the ultra-Orthodox community

“The plan is currently being prepared,” the IDF says.