Detentions of ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers begin in Israel
Protests of the ultra-Orthodox against conscription in Jerusalem. Photo: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90
On May 13, 2025, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched an operation to detain draft dodgers who failed to report for military service. According to maariv.co.il, dozens of ultra-Orthodox Jews were among those arrested.
It is noted that such large-scale operations had not been conducted before. Military police carried out arrests in Elad, Bnei Brak, Ashdod, and Jerusalem.
Religious parties immediately declared that they would leave the government if even one ultra-Orthodox man were arrested.
“As soon as an operation is conducted to arrest yeshiva students, and any students are detained, it will be a matter of minutes or hours before we leave the coalition,” local media quoted ultra-Orthodox politicians as saying.
As previously reported, Israel’s rabbis have urged young ultra-Orthodox men to ignore draft notices.
Read also
Orthodox and Catholic bishops make joint visit to Mount Athos
The head of the Phanar blessed a joint pilgrimage to Mount Athos by Roman Catholic and Orthodox bishops.
UOC Kryvyi Rih Eparchy marks 30th anniversary
Metropolitan Yefrem led the anniversary Divine Liturgy in Kryvyi Rih.
Ostapenko: Everyone in UCCRO feels fine except the “FSB UOC”
The director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve called the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches “a wonderful organization.”
Khmelnytskyi Eparchy donates funds for treatment of 12-year-old girl
UOC believers raised UAH 20,000 for Anastasiia Mamchur as part of an eparchial charity campaign.
Shevchuk: We had to convince world UOC ban does not violate religious freedom
The UGCC head claims that by banning the UOC, the state is not violating religious freedom but merely protecting the Church’s faithful from Moscow propaganda.
Lavra reserve head estimates damage to Dormition Cathedral at €15 million
Maksym Ostapenko said restoring the Dormition Cathedral would take at least a couple of years and require major funding.