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Haredim

IDF Preparing to Intensify Clampdown on Haredi Draft Dodgers

The IDF has sent out 80,000 draft orders to haredi men and is preparing for large-scale arrest operations nationwide, in coordination with the Israel Police.

The military is ramping up draft enforcement ahead of Rosh Hashanah, when thousands of haredim are expected to travel to Uman, Ukraine, by creating a system to aid in arresting draft dodgers at Ben-Gurion Airport.

In September, the IDF will hold a partial amnesty period, allowing all draft dodgers to enlist without being arrested, in exchange for a full year of regular military service, along with other conditions. In these instances, the charge of draft dodging will be amended, and the draft dodger will be issued a conditional sentence.

This large-scale draft effort coincided with a high-level emergency conference of haredi rabbinic leaders, who declared total opposition to the draft. "It is forbidden to go into a military framework under any circumstances," read a joint statement. "Every young man and woman must stand firm in their faith and not be tempted to go into the army."

Head of United Torah Judaism's Degel HaTorah faction, MK Moshe Gafni, criticized Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara for her role in the new enforcement procedure.

(JPost/VFI News)

“Lord, we ask for wisdom and understanding for all parties involved in this sensitive issue. We pray for peace between the religious communities and the state, that dialogue and mutual respect would prevail over conflict and division.”