Story perspectives

Israeli Court Links Welfare to Draft, Targets Ultra-Orthodox

4/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Israeli High Court ordered the Labor, Transport and Interior ministries to tie welfare benefits to IDF enlistment for ultra-Orthodox men.
It revoked daycare, transport and housing subsidies for non-enlisting men, ordered criminal proceedings and noted 76,000 draft-age men (80% Haredi) remain evaders.
Opposition leaders Yair Lapid, Yair Golan and Avigdor Liberman praised the ruling while Yitzhak Goldknopf, Moshe Gafni and Rabbi Dov Lando condemned it and urged exemption legislation.

History

Historical Context

In 2012 Israel’s Supreme Court invalidated the Tal Law, which had allowed ultra-Orthodox men to defer military service and was set to lapse on 1 August 2012. The ruling sparked political battles involving the Shas and United Torah Judaism parties and led to the 2013 election reshaping the coalition. Today the High Court again ties welfare benefits to IDF enlistment, echoing that 2012 decision.

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Story summary

The Israeli High Court ordered the Labor, Transport and Interior ministries to tie welfare benefits to IDF enlistment for ultra-Orthodox men.
It revoked daycare, transport and housing subsidies for non-enlisting men, ordered criminal proceedings and noted 76,000 draft-age men (80% Haredi) remain evaders.
Opposition leaders Yair Lapid, Yair Golan and Avigdor Liberman praised the ruling while Yitzhak Goldknopf, Moshe Gafni and Rabbi Dov Lando condemned it and urged exemption legislation.

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