From the Liveblog of
Sunday, May 31, 2026
IDF denies it is negotiating with Haredim to free jailed draft evaders
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleSam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
The Israel Defense Forces denies the Jerusalem Faction’s claim that “serious and advanced negotiations” with the army are set to lead to the release of detained draft evaders from military prison.
“Contrary to what is being claimed, there are no negotiations taking place regarding the release of deserters and draft evaders from military prison,” a military spokesperson tells The Times of Israel when asked about the hardline ultra-Orthodox group’s statement that it is postponing planned anti-conscription rallies because the detainees will soon be freed.
The group’s claim generated suspicion that it was seeking to lull the police into relaxing its presence at the planned rallies in Jerusalem and Bnei Brak, leading it to issue a follow-up insisting that “this is not a trick or a deception.”
A spokesman for the Jerusalem Faction did not reply to a request for details regarding the claimed negotiations.
The Times of Israel Community.