Story perspectives

Court Cuts Draft Evaders' Benefits Amid Violent Protests

4/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

Israeli High Court of Justice ordered revocation of financial benefits for draft evaders and a government report by June 1.
Police used stun grenades and skunk spray to disperse anti-draft protesters at Jerusalem’s Chords Bridge on April 29.
Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators blocked Jerusalem’s main entrance road and Highway 4 in Bnei Brak on April 28-29.
Defense Minister Israel Katz, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Eyal Zamir and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the protests as violent.

History

Historical Context

Since Israel’s 1948 founding, the Ben-Gurion status-quo granted Haredi yeshiva students exemption from service, codified in the Tal Law until the High Court struck it unconstitutional in February 2012. In May 2013 the Supreme Court, led by Justice Miriam Naor, upheld the exemption, prompting yearly protests of over 5,000 in Jerusalem involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF chief Eyal Zamir.

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Story summary

Israeli High Court of Justice ordered revocation of financial benefits for draft evaders and a government report by June 1.
Police used stun grenades and skunk spray to disperse anti-draft protesters at Jerusalem’s Chords Bridge on April 29.
Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators blocked Jerusalem’s main entrance road and Highway 4 in Bnei Brak on April 28-29.
Defense Minister Israel Katz, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Eyal Zamir and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the protests as violent.

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