At Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, military police detained at least 40 ultra-Orthodox Jewish men suspected of attempting to avoid the nation’s military draft. The arrests were confirmed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which stated that these individuals, who had crossed the border at the airport, are required to serve and will face legal proceedings.
This large-scale arrest event is unusual and highlights ongoing national discussions about whether ultra-Orthodox Jews should serve in the military alongside other Jewish citizens. Traditionally exempt from military duty, a 2024 Supreme Court ruling mandated that the military begin drafting ultra-Orthodox individuals due to the lack of formalized exemption legislation.
The topic of equal military service gained prominence following the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas on Israel, which led to a multi-front conflict. This issue is a central point in the political discourse as Israel approaches national elections on October 27.
Many Israelis, especially those in the reserves, have expressed dissatisfaction with bearing a disproportionate share of the defense responsibility. Ultra-Orthodox or Haredi Jews comprise about 13% of Israel’s population, with projections from the Central Bureau of Statistics indicating they might make up nearly 25% by 2050.
“Ultra-Orthodox leaders in the Breslev Hasidic community have held public demonstrations against compulsory conscription and the imprisonment of non-compliant individuals,” Amir Levy/Getty
Instead of serving, many ultra-Orthodox men dedicate themselves to full-time religious studies. Their political representatives have called for legislation that would officially exempt them while specifying a quota for those eligible for compulsory service.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose governance relies on ultra-Orthodox political factions since the 2022 elections, faces pressure to reconcile their demands with those advocating for service equality. In a recent interview with the ultra-Orthodox radio station Kol Barama, Netanyahu opposed the arrests, suggesting that they undermine peaceful enlistment efforts.