Opposition MKs demand Knesset panel delay vote on arrest-freeze for yeshiva draft evaders

Opposition lawmakers on the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee have asked committee chair MK Boaz Bismut to postpone a vote scheduled for Tuesday on a bill that would freeze criminal proceedings and arrests against yeshiva students who evade military service, according to N12 reporter Daphna Liel. The opposition argues the bill amounts to granting 'advance immunity' to future draft dodgers.

Opposition MKs on the Knesset's powerful Foreign Affairs and Security Committee are pressing committee chair MK Boaz Bismut to delay a Tuesday vote on a bill that would freeze arrest and criminal proceedings against yeshiva students who do not enlist, according to N12 reporter Daphna Liel. The opposition characterizes the legislation as granting 'advance immunity' to future draft evaders.

As The Zioneer has reported over the past month, this bill has advanced through several stages despite opposition from within the IDF and from some coalition figures. Defense Minister Israel Katz formally requested the committee debate on June 28, reversing his earlier opposition to similar legislation. The committee has held several debates, including one on July 2 chaired by MK Tzvi Sukkot, himself a non-enlistee — a move that drew opposition fury.

The bill is part of the coalition's broader effort to address the Haredi conscription crisis, which has been a major political flashpoint. The IDF's Manpower Planning and Administration chief, Brig. Gen. Tayeeb, told the committee on June 30 that halting arrests of evaders would not bring new recruits and undermines enforcement. The Tuesday vote in committee would mark one of the final legislative steps before a possible Knesset plenum vote, though procedural hurdles remain.

2 developments

1. 1 hour ago · 16:52 · 3 JulLatest

   Opposition MKs formally requested committee chair Bismut to postpone the vote.

2. 20:39 · 2 Jul

   Committee votes on the arrest-freeze bill are scheduled to begin this Tuesday.

• Developing08:11 · 8 JunOpposition MKs ask to postpone Knesset debate on yeshiva daycare funding for draft-dodgers
• Developing21:19 · 20 JunDraft bill hits new snag: Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee delays deserters freeze debate
• Developingyesterday · 11:19 · 2 JulKnesset panel proceeds with arrest-immunity debate for Haredi non-enlistees; opposition furious Sukkot chairs session
• Developing3 days ago · 11:11 · 30 JunKnesset committee holds debate on pardon for Haredi draft dodgers

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