Haredi rally against the IDF draft
Photo: Ofer Meir
Haredi yeshiva students to get cash reward for IDF defection
A New York-based organization affiliated with the anti-Zionist Satmar Hassidic movement is giving draft dodgers jailed by the military $100 for each day of detention.
The Jerusalemite Lithuanian faction, which is leading the ultra-Orthodox protest against the IDF draft,
has decided to reward yeshiva students jailed by the army for draft dodging with $100 for each day of detainment.
A yeshiva student from Beit Shemesh who was released Tuesday after serving 74 days in military prison has already been awarded $7,400.
The financial reward is funded by a New York-based organization affiliated with the anti-Zionist Satmar Hassidic movement to encourage army defectors after punitive action against them has increased.
Ultra-Orthodox protest in Jerusalem against the IDF draft (Photo: AFP)
In the past, yeshiva students who ignored their IDF drafting order were only jailed for a few days. But now, as law enforcement authorities mount a campaign against religious extremists inciting against the IDF, draft dodgers are being given longer sentences.
The yeshiva student from Beit Shemesh, Tzvi Dov Friedman, received a festive welcome from the leaders of the Jerusalemite faction and the Edah HaHreidis (the ultra-Orthodox community), Rabbi Shmuel Auerbach and Rabbi Yitzchok Tuvia Weiss.
Yisrael Meir Toledano, who was also jailed for defection, also received the financial compensation. Two weeks ago he was released after having spent 63 days in military jail.
The two received the reward in cash and privately, without a public ceremony, to avoid exposing the members of the Satmar-affiliated organization so they won't be arrested for solicitation to commit a crime.
