Israel’s Supreme Court issued a temporary order on Wednesday suspending a new law that prohibited the arrest of ultra-Orthodox men who refuse mandatory military service. The legislation, passed just 24 hours earlier, sought to shield the community from draft enforcement as the military faces significant personnel shortages during ongoing regional conflicts.
Supreme Court Intervention and Legal Status
The High Court of Justice acted rapidly to freeze the enforcement of the controversial legislation, which had been designed to prevent police and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from conducting arrests or investigations into ultra-Orthodox draft evaders. According to Timesofisrael, the court indicated that existing rulings and strong arguments against the law justified an immediate freeze until an initial hearing can be held.
The law, which would have applied to approximately 72,000 individuals currently enrolled in yeshivas, was intended to remain in effect until November 30. The court stated that the hearing on these petitions will occur as soon as possible
, with legal analysts expecting a final ruling to permanently strike down the measure.
Political Motivations and Legislative Concessions
The passage of the law on Tuesday followed a marathon session in the Knesset, marking a significant attempt by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition to solidify support from ultra-Orthodox parties ahead of the October 27 general elections. As AP News detailed, the coalition also passed a secondary bill declaring Jewish religious study a foundational value
of the state, a move designed to provide a legal buffer against Supreme Court challenges regarding conscription exemptions.
Shlomit Ravitsky Tur-Paz of the Israel Democracy Institute noted that Netanyahu is attempting to ensure the Haredi parties remain tethered to his coalition, despite growing internal friction. The military establishment has expressed vocal opposition to the laws; reports indicate that military chief Eyal Zamir wrote to the government describing the bills as clearly and unequivocally inconsistent
with the current needs of the IDF.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s Opposition
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has emerged as a sharp critic of the legislation, specifically targeting Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for his role in the policy. In an interview with 103FM, Bennett characterized the law as a betrayal of religious Zionism.
“This is terrible, a real desecration of the term ‘religious Zionism.’ There was no politician who pushed harder for the transfer of billions to draft-dodging haredim than Smotrich. He should be ashamed, he should go home, he should clear the field. He disgraces every person who wears a knitted kippah.”
Naftali Bennett, former Prime Minister, via The Jerusalem Post
He suggested that if 20 percent of the 100,000 eligible ultra-Orthodox men enlisted, the IDF’s current manpower shortages would be largely resolved. Bennett promised to cancel the current exemptions if he returns to power, proposing instead to redirect funds toward those who serve, including reservists.
Long-Standing Legal and Social Tensions
The conflict over Haredi conscription is deeply rooted in Israel’s history, dating back to 1948 when exemptions were established for a small number of scholars. Over the decades, however, the demographics of the community have shifted, and the Supreme Court has repeatedly intervened to demand greater equality in military service.
With the court now having suspended the latest attempt to bypass these requirements, the government faces a narrow window to address the issue before the upcoming national elections.
Find more reporting in our News section.
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