Israeli draft

IDF detains 42 Chabad Hassidic draft evaders arriving from New York at Ben-Gurion Airport

Of the 42, 40 expressed willingness to enlist and were found fit for military service, while 2 were found to have dodged the draft for an extended period and were sent directly to a military prison.

Members of the Chabad community at Ben-Gurion Airport, October 20, 2026.
 THE ZIONIST identity didn’t overcome the Jewish identity, nor did the opposite occur: An IDF soldier puts on tefillin.

National-religious men overrepresented in IDF reserves as haredim stay absent, IDI analysis finds

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen Eyal Zamir meets with soldiers in southern Lebanon, July 4, 2026.

Israeli youth eager for combat, majority see IDF as victorious - poll

Reservists Party leader Yoaz Hendel presents national PTSD recovery plan after October 7, May 10, 2026.

'Abandoning values': Yoaz Hendel accuses Religious Zionist Party of encouraging mass draft evasion


Likud Court dismisses petitions to expel Gallant from party despite harsh criticisms against him

In the ruling, issued on Sunday, Court President Michael Kleiner and members Yitzhak Bam and Yair Lachen determined that there was no legal basis to terminate Gallant’s membership in Likud.

FORMER DEFENSE minister Yoav Galant arrives to the Likud court for a discussion on the proposal to remove Galant from the Likud party.

Ultra-Orthodox protesters block Jerusalem's Tunnel Checkpoint after draft dodger arrested

Border Police officers from the Jerusalem periphery unit and Jerusalem District police officers are operating at the scene.

HAREDI PROTESTERS block Highway 1, June 1, 2026; Illustrative.

WATCH: Bodycam shows soldier rescued by police from haredi protest amid threats, attacks

The soldier was rescued after getting off a blocked bus in Jerusalem, where he was surrounded by an agitated crowd of protesters.

HAREDI MEN protest against the jailing of yeshiva students who failed to comply with an IDF draft order, in May 2026.

The controversy over mixed-gender IDF units still ruffles Israeli society - opinion

The deeper challenge lies in the clash between equality at any price and adherence to Jewish law.

IDF forces during the “Sulfur and Fire” readiness exercise on May 15, 2026.

IDF draft moving forward amid Operation Roaring Lion, includes over 500 new immigrants

The batch of recruits for March-April 2026 is expected to consist of thousands of soldiers, including those drafting into combat roles.

Maj.-Gen. Dado Bar Khalifa, head of the IDF’s Human Resources Department, addresses ultra-Orthodox recruits as they enlist in the military.

IDF overhauls pre-draft medical screening checks during military conscription process with AI

The IDF is overhauling its pre-draft medical screening to streamline the process, remove unnecessary exams, and introduce new tests for better accuracy and efficiency in preparing draft candidates.

Young Israelis arrive to the Israeli army recruitment center at Tel Hashomer, outside of Tel Aviv on March 17, 2020.

Former hostage Nimrod Cohen announces return to IDF: 'Didn't do enough during my mandatory service'

"I didn't really do my service, the way I see it. I served for ten months until I was kidnapped," Cohen said in an interview for N12's Ulpan Shishi.

Released Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen at the funeral of Israeli soldier Staff Sgt. Daniel Oz, at the military cemetery in Kfar Saba.

Lapid, Eisenkot, and Bennett back reservists at Jerusalem draft law protest

"I hope that Knesset receives the message to promote a draft law and not a [draft] evasion law," Eisenkot said.

Yair Lapid and Gadi Eisenkot embrace at draft law protests in Jerusalem on January 15, 2026.

IDF cancels ultra-Orthodox Hashmonaim Brigade event for parents in Bnei Brak after haredi riot

The event was interrupted by a group of several dozen haredi extremists associated with the Jerusalem faction, who tried to break into the compound where the event was being held.

HAREDIM SCUFFLE with police outside Jerusalem’s IDF Recruitment Center, Nov. 12.

Katz rejects appt of Col. (res.) Gitelman, claims he promoted draft dodging

"Those who preach or encourage refusal will not serve in the IDF and will not be promoted to any position," Katz said.  

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir attends the funeral of Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin, who's body had been held captive by Hamas in Gaza since 2014 and released a few days ago, at the Kfar Saba military cemetery. November 11, 2025.