Day 527 - Haredi groups help yeshiva students dodge draft

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute
audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and
the Jewish world.


Political correspondent
Sam Sokol joins host
Jessica Steinberg for today's Daily Briefing.


As the IDF faces problems recruiting reserve troops after more
than 15 months of war and mounting anger against the
ultra-Orthodox for not shouldering the burden, Sokol discusses
the latest in the Haredi draft issue, coming to a head in the
current budget debates.


Sokol says the various ultra-Orthodox parties are playing this
issue differently, although they all appear to want the same
thing: exemptions for yeshiva students and will use different
tactics to achieve their goals.


He also describes his ongoing investigation into the growing
number of Haredi organizations offering advice to yeshiva
students and families about how to dodge draft notices. Sokol is
investigating the pattern of behavior that's emerging, the
illegalities involved in advising someone to avoid the draft, and
the security apparatus's reticence to take action on this growing
trend.


Please see today's ongoing liveblog for
more updates.


For further reading:


AG, police silent in face of growing ecosystem of Haredi
evasion organizations


Hasidic MKs tell Netanyahu they’ll oppose budget if draft
exemption law not passed


Haredi lawmakers split on approach to budget, which must
pass this month or gov’t falls


‘Do not cooperate’: Nonprofit linked to top Haredi rabbis
encourages draft dodging


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podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.


IMAGE: Haredi Jews clash with police during a protest against the
ultra-Orthodox draft on Road 4 outside Bnei Brak on March 2, 2025
(Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)


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