Haredim at the IDF induction center
Photo: Motti Kimchi
Jerusalem Police arrests 2 suspected of helping Haredim evade IDF service
The suspects allegedly received money from ultra-Orthodox men wishing to dodge the draft, sent them to meetings with psychiatrists, and obtained medical documents declaring them unfit for military service due to mental issues.
Police has arrested two Jerusalem residents on suspicion of heading an organized network to help ultra-Orthodox men evade IDF service, it was cleared for publication on Sunday.
The two, aged 25 and 57, allegedly received money from Haredi candidates to help them obtain medical documents that would secure them an exemption from military service.
The two would schedule meetings for the Haredi men with psychiatrist and guide them on how to behave during the session. The would-be draft dodgers allegedly received medical documents that declared them unfit for service.
Haredim outside the IDF induction center in Tel HaShomer (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
The investigation into the two began following the arrest of an ultra-Orthodox rioter a month ago while he was protesting outside the IDF draft center in Jerusalem.
During his police questioning, investigators found medical documents signed by psychiatrists in his possession.
After interrogating the 25-year-old suspect, police reached the older suspect. A search of his home found over NIS 100,000 hidden and organized in separate packages, each labeled with the name and details of a different person.
The investigation found each of their "clients" received a document noting different mental issues he was supposedly suffering from, which the Haredi man would then present to military authorities during the recruitment process to receive the sought-after exemption.
Investigators also collected testimony from several psychiatrists.
"There's suspicion of forgery and use of fake documents," said Chief Superintendent Doron Benamo, an Intelligence and Investigations officer at the Jerusalem District Police. "Some sort of big wigs in the ultra-Orthodox sector who found men who were being drafted to the IDF, took them to psychiatrists, and for NIS 500-800 procured documents for them indicating they were unfit for military service due to a mental problem."
The two suspects' remand was extended twice, and they have since been released under certain restrictions as the investigation continues.
