The bill that would freeze arrests of Haredi yeshiva students who evade military service has been approved for second and third readings in the Knesset, according to reports. The freeze would last until November 30, 2026, and require students to study at least 45 hours a week in yeshiva or 40 hours in a kollel. Yeshivas would be subject to oversight and could be removed from the list if absenteeism reaches 20% or more.
The bill freezing arrests of Haredi yeshiva students who avoid military service was approved by the Knesset plenum for second and third readings on Sunday afternoon. The vote advances the legislation to its final stage, where it requires a majority to become law.
The freeze, if enacted, would last until November 30, 2026, and cover students who are studying at least 45 hours a week in a yeshiva or 40 hours in a kollel. Yeshivas would be required to declare compliance and be subject to supervision. If a yeshiva has a recurring absenteeism rate of 20% or more, it would receive a warning; continued violations would result in removal from the list, and affected students could transfer to another yeshiva.
The bill now heads to the final vote, which is expected later this week. Its passage would mark a temporary resolution to the long-running controversy over Haredi military service, though the IDF has opposed the measure, arguing it undermines enforcement.
2 developments
- StrongNew arrest-freeze bill for yeshiva students will last 5 months, not 3 — N12
- DevelopingCoalition proposal would halt criminal proceedings against draft-dodging yeshiva students
- DevelopingGovernment secretary admits yeshiva student arrest freeze may last six months, not three
- DevelopingCoalition leaders agree: Basic Law Torah Study and freeze on draft-dodger arrests to pass before Knesset disperses
Source and signal
- Internal intake