Civil Service Commission to Government Ministries: It is Forbidden to Employ Draft Dodgers

The Civil Service Commission is tightening the prohibition on employing individuals who evade military service in government ministries. In a letter sent to government ministries, it was determined that the computerized recruitment system will block the acceptance of candidates who have not regulated their status with the IDF. The directive comes against the backdrop of High Court rulings on the enlistment of Haredim and the legal advisor's sanctions.

The Civil Service Commission sent a letter to government ministries with a directive reinforcing the prohibition on employing individuals who evade military service. The letter was signed by Nissim Mizrahi, the commissioner for government ministries and head of the senior staff administration at the commission. Mizrahi emphasizes that this is a "refresh" of an existing instruction in the Civil Service Regulations and not a new measure, but the letter presents a new enforcement tool: the computerized recruitment system will block the acceptance of candidates who have not regulated their status with the IDF. The check will be performed automatically against IDF data, and candidates will be warned in advance. Those selected for a position who have not regulated their status will receive five days to rectify the matter before the award is canceled. The directive stems from High Court rulings on the enlistment of Haredim, which about a year ago ordered the government to formulate an effective enforcement policy, and about six months ago imposed personal sanctions including the revocation of housing benefits, daycare subsidies, and public transportation discounts.