High Court Annuls Law Freezing Arrests of Haredi Draft Evaders

Israel’s High Court unanimously annulled Amendment 28 to the Defense Service Law, which would have frozen arrest, investigation and enforcement proceedings against Haredi yeshiva students who did not report for mandatory service. All nine justices found that the enacted measure materially departed from the bill approved at first reading, violating legislative procedure. Eight also held that withholding enforcement from one group while its service obligation remained severely violated equality; Justice David Mintz joined the annulment only on procedural grounds. The ruling leaves the existing enforcement regime in force without ordering specific arrests or resolving the broader conscription dispute.