Israeli Army Halts Arrests of Ultra-Orthodox Draft Evaders, Newspaper Reports

The Israeli army has halted arrests of ultra-Orthodox Haredi Jewish men who have evaded mandatory military service, according to a report by Haaretz cited by Anadolu Agency.

The Haaretz report found that only 16 Haredi men evading military service were arrested during the first half of 2026, a figure that, according to the framing of the report, suggests a significant slowdown or halt in enforcement of draft laws against this population. The report does not specify the total number of Haredi men believed to be currently evading military service, nor does it detail the reasons behind the apparent halt in arrests.

The question of military service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jewish men has long been a contentious issue in Israeli politics and society, with successive governments facing legal and political pressure over arrangements that have historically allowed many Haredi men to avoid conscription through religious study exemptions. Israeli courts have in recent years ruled that such blanket exemptions are unlawful, increasing pressure on the government to enforce the draft more broadly among the Haredi population.

A Politically Sensitive Issue

Efforts to enforce military conscription among Haredi men have repeatedly sparked tension between the government, the military, and ultra-Orthodox political parties that are often key partners in governing coalitions. The report does not indicate whether the halt in arrests reflects a policy decision, resource constraints, or another factor affecting enforcement.

No additional details were included in the available report regarding official comment from the Israeli military or government on the figures reported by Haaretz, or on any planned changes to enforcement going forward.