A student for 200 shekels: the ultra-Orthodox sector trades in fake travel discounts

Activists from the "Free Israel" movement have uncovered an industry of fake student IDs in the ultra-Orthodox sector. For 200-250 shekels, one can obtain travel discounts without attending classes. The Ministry of Transportation promised to close the loophole two years ago, but it continues to operate.

Activists from the "Free Israel" movement have uncovered a whole industry of fake student IDs in the ultra-Orthodox sector. For 200-250 shekels, one can obtain documents that grant discounts on public transportation, without the need to attend classes. The Ministry of Transportation promised to close this loophole two years ago, but according to the investigation, on the eve of the 2026/27 academic year, services are still being offered by both educational institutions and private intermediaries on ultra-Orthodox forums. Some of these institutions receive millions of shekels in state support. The movement demands that the Ministry of Transportation move from promises to action. The ministry stated that it views attempts to illegally obtain discounts with great seriousness.