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Draft Bill

US Satmar Hasidic leaders arrive in Israel to challenge draft, state funding

The anti-Israel sect is visiting to back opposition to drafting Haredim, push for full separation of Haredi schools from state funding and influence moderate rabbis, exploiting tensions in Israel’s ultra-Orthodox community over military conscription

Shilo Freid | 08.19.25

Leading Haredi rabbi on IDF draft: 'Jews persecute Jews over Torah study'

Rabbi Dov Landau criticized military and arrests of deserters, urging yeshiva students not to succumb and enlist; 'It is unacceptable for Jews to be imprisoned for studying Torah'

Shilo Freid | 08.18.25

IDF launches one-time amnesty for 14,600 Haredi draft dodgers

For five days, the IDF will reach out to draft deserters, mostly ultra-Orthodox, offering to cancel penalties if they enlist; 'This is a one-time opportunity,' officials say; military says that without a real draft law, the number of deserters could rise by 5,000 soon and reach tens of thousands within 18 months

Yoav Zitun | 08.17.25

Ex-chief rabbi: Why listen to 'atheist' Netanyahu?

Former Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef accuses PM of betraying ultra-Orthodox parties on draft law as protests erupt outside military prison where Haredi draft dodgers held and rabbis laed mass prayer rallies; 'You rely on such a person?'

Shilo Freid | 08.17.25

Senior ultra-Orthodox rabbi: 'The army is idolatry, bloodshed and immorality'

In radio interview, Rabbi Yitzchok Kolodetsky launches blistering attack on IDF and its ultra-Orthodox soldiers, urging public to shun them and calling even the most religious military frameworks a dangerous deception

Shilo Freid | 08.13.25

Top Haredi rabbi warns of 'global struggle' against Israel over yeshiva student draft evasion arrests

Rabbi Dov Landau’s aides say Israel has 'declared war on Torah scholars' after arrests of ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers, vowing global campaign; warning comes as lawmakers revive efforts to pass new military conscription law

Gal Ganot | 08.06.25

Haredi lawmakers push to lower voting age as tensions over military exemptions grow

Legislation mirrors existing voting rights in municipal elections and could add roughly 120,000 new voters; leaders warn of 'state without Haredim' amid backlash over draft exemptions and threats of mass arrests of yeshiva students

Shilo Freid, Tamar Trabelsi-Hadad | 07.24.25

Haredi parties pressure Netanyahu to appoint Likud's Bismuth to chair key Knesset committee

Ultra-Orthodox parties are pressuring Netanyahu to back MK Boaz Bismuth as the next chair of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, abandoning earlier support for MK Hanoch Milwidsky in a surprise late-night shift

Moran Azulay | 07.23.25

'Zionism brought disasters—spiritual and physical': Leading Haredi rabbi renews ban on army draft

Rabbi Dov Landau, the leading authority of Israel’s non-Hasidic Haredi community, reiterated his absolute opposition to military enlistment, accusing Zionism of causing deep harm and ordering students to reject all draft directives

Shilo Freid | 07.22.25

Likud pushes to oust Edelstein from Knesset panel over draft bill, Netanyahu loyalist to replace him

MK Hanoch Milwidsky is expected to challenge Edelstein as chair of Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, as PM seeks to push forward contentious draft law expanding exemptions for ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students

Moran Azulay | 07.21.25

Shas announces government exit over draft law row

Ultra-Orthodox party says will withdraw Netanyahu government but remain in coalition for now, protesting delays over legislation to exempt yeshiva students from military service; move follows similar action by United Torah Judaism

Shilo Fried | 07.16.25

Shas weighs leaving government over ‘harm to Torah scholars’

Its Council of Torah Sages will discuss the Sephardic movement's future in the government, due to the crisis surrounding the draft exemption law; It is likely that Shas will announce its withdrawal from the government in the coming days

Shilo Freid, Moran Azulay | 07.15.25

Coalition braces for instability after Haredi ministers quit

United Torah Judaism lawmakers exit coalition over draft bill, Shas signals solidarity, Edelstein digs in and opposition eyes revival of bid to dissolve Knesset—but elections remain far off despite loss of majority

Shilo Freid | 07.15.25

Haredi soldiers are dying for Israel—stop the smear campaign against Torah Jews

Opinion: As Haredi soldiers fall in battle and their families mourn, a growing political campaign falsely paints Israel’s ultra-Orthodox community as draft dodgers—ignoring their sacrifice, fueling division and threatening national unity in a time of war

Duvi Honig | 07.13.25

UTJ chair resigns from cabinet after bill to dissolve Knesset defeated in draft row

Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf steps down after failing to unite his ultra-Orthodox bloc around a push for broad IDF draft exemptions; his call for early elections rejected by allies fearing backlash against Haredim and risks to coalition stability

Shilo Freid | 06.12.25

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Judicial reform Ahmad al-Sharaa Airstrike Amsterdam Antisemitism Ariel Bibas Benjamin Netanyahu Bitcoin Climate crisis Columbia University