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Israel High Court Strikes Down Draft-Dodger Exemption Law

9/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

Israel's High Court of Justice unanimously annulled the July law that shielded ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers from arrest.
The court said the law was procedurally defective because its final version contradicted the first-reading bill.
Eight justices ruled it unconstitutional, noting it severely harmed the principle of equality by exempting Haredi yeshiva students.
Only 219 Haredi draft dodgers (0.3% of eligible) had been arrested since January 2025, while non-Haredi dodgers remained arrestable.

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Story summary

Israel's High Court of Justice unanimously annulled the July law that shielded ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers from arrest.
The court said the law was procedurally defective because its final version contradicted the first-reading bill.
Eight justices ruled it unconstitutional, noting it severely harmed the principle of equality by exempting Haredi yeshiva students.
Only 219 Haredi draft dodgers (0.3% of eligible) had been arrested since January 2025, while non-Haredi dodgers remained arrestable.