Israeli Court Freezes Ultra-Orthodox Draft Exemption

The Israeli High Court of Justice issued an injunction blocking the implementation of a law that would have suspended the arrest of ultra-Orthodox draft evaders, citing discrimination.

The ruling reignited a fierce debate over military service exemptions for Haredi yeshiva students.

Religious Zionism minister Ofir Sofer announced he would not run for reelection, accusing the coalition of ‘plundering’ the draft.

Opposition leader Naftali Bennett slammed the law’s architect, Bezalel Smotrich, as the true force behind the evasion bill.