Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, a leading Shas rabbinical figure, praised the coalition bill that would halt arrests of Haredi yeshiva students who evade military service, saying it 'brought honor and magnified the importance of the Torah and its students.' The statement comes as tensions continue over Haredi conscription.
Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, a senior Shas rabbi and former Sephardic chief rabbi, has publicly blessed the coalition bill that would freeze arrests of Haredi draft evaders, calling it a measure that 'brought honor and magnified the importance of the Torah and its students.' The statement, reported Wednesday morning, contrasts with Rabbi Yosef's earlier public stance: last month, he led a protest rally in Bnei Brak against the arrest of draft evaders, according to journalist Eli Hirshman (N12). The bill, which has been petitioned against by opposition parties Yesh Atid and Yisrael Beytenu, aims to halt proactive arrests of yeshiva students who do not report for military service. The legislation has drawn sharp criticism from opponents who argue it institutionalizes draft dodging. The army representative recently told the Knesset that arrests and detention are key to enforcing Haredi conscription, and that enlistment has risen to 3,500 this year. The Zioneer has reported extensively on the tensions surrounding Haredi conscription, including protests outside military prisons and police confrontations (see background). The current statement may signal a shift in rabbinical leadership's approach to the legislative process.
- StrongYesh Atid, Yisrael Beytenu petition High Court against Haredi draft-evader arrest exemption bill
- DevelopingLeading Shas rabbi to lead protest rally against draft-evader arrests
- DevelopingOpposition party leaders issue joint call against bill to freeze draft-evader arrests
- StrongCoalition passed law freezing arrests of Haredi draft evaders
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