IDF claimed that arrests of deserters continue - then admitted: we didn't do it "recently"

The IDF admitted in a discussion with the Attorney General that it has not carried out proactive arrests of deserters recently, in stark contrast to statements made by the IDF Spokesperson to the media. The Deputy Attorney General reprimanded the military, stating that the situation does not meet security needs. In September, 212 deserters were arrested at border crossings, 163 of them from the Haredi community.

The IDF admitted in a follow-up discussion with Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara that it has refrained from proactive arrests of deserters "recently," citing a focus of efforts at border crossings and adjustments for the holiday period. This admission completely contradicts the response of the IDF Spokesperson to the media, where it was claimed that reports of a lack of proactive arrests were "incorrect." Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon reprimanded the military and stated that the lack of proactive activity against draft evaders does not meet security needs, the value of equality, or the state's commitments before the High Court of Justice. In the update document to the High Court, it was stated that the military would resume proactive arrest activity during October. In September, 212 deserters were arrested at border crossings, 163 of them from the Haredi community. Of the 188 detainees caught at Ben Gurion Airport, 64 were caught only upon their return to Israel, raising concerns about loopholes in enforcing the ban on leaving the country.