The attorney general's office submitted the state's position to the High Court of Justice, supporting a petition by the Israel Hofshit movement that would end tax-exemption certificates for religious institutions where draft-eligible students have not regularized their status with military authorities, according to N12.
The state has formally backed a petition to strip tax benefits from yeshivas that harbor draft-dodging students, marking a significant legal escalation in the long-running conscription crisis. According to a report by Eli Hirshman on N12, the attorney general's office submitted the government's position to the High Court of Justice on Wednesday, arguing that the court should accept the petition filed by the Israel Hofshit movement. The petition seeks to deny or revoke tax-exemption certificates under Section 46 of the Income Tax Ordinance for religious institutions enrolling yeshiva students who are obligated to enlist but have not regularized their status with the IDF. The development follows a series of legal and legislative battles over mandatory service for Haredi men. As The Zioneer has reported, the Tax Authority earlier indicated it would require yeshivas to declare draft evaders or lose benefits; the High Court also issued a conditional order in a related petition regarding civilian national service tracks. The current position is explicitly directed at institutions where draft-eligible students have not clarified their status — a narrower frame than earlier blanket threats, but one that could affect dozens of yeshivas. The High Court has not yet ruled.
2 developments
- DevelopingStudy: most donations to Israeli yeshivas come from Israel, not abroad; tax-benefit repeal would save state 430 million shekels a year
- DevelopingTax Authority to demand yeshivas declare draft-dodging students or lose tax breaks
- DevelopingTreasury advances cancellation of National Insurance discount for yeshiva students
- DevelopingHigh Court orders state to explain exemption of Haredi national service track from conscription
Source and signal
- Internal intake