IDF names cities with the most Haredi draft dodgers
The military police have resumed arrests of draft dodgers from the Haredi sector, but operations are almost nonexistent in cities with a predominantly Haredi population. IDF data, transmitted to the Movement for Freedom of Information, shows a huge gap between the number of those who received Order No. 12 and those who enlisted: in Arad the ratio is 26.2 to 1, in Yeruham not a single one enlisted.
Israel's military police resumed operations to arrest draft dodgers from the Haredi sector after the holiday period ended. As reported on Monday, October 12, over the past two weeks there have been attempts to arrest draft dodgers in Dimona, Bat Yam, and Modiin. However, in localities with a predominantly Haredi population, where the number of those who failed to report for duty is significantly higher, there is no military police activity. IDF data, transmitted to the Movement for Freedom of Information, shows that from July 2023 to October 2025, more than 15,000 yeshiva students received Order No. 12 (צו 12), while only 2,187 enlisted. An analysis by city reveals a colossal gap: in Arad, home to the Gur Hasidic community, the ratio of those who received the order to those who enlisted is 26.2 to 1 (105 versus 4). In Yeruham, 31 yeshiva students received the order, and not a single one enlisted. In Ashdod the ratio is 21.6 to 1 (972 versus 45). In Modiin Illit — 16.2, in Rekhasim — 24.5, in Beitar Illit — 13.7. Haredi protest organizations are disrupting some arrests, as happened in Modiin, where hundreds of youths from Modiin Illit blocked the road and barricaded themselves in a building with military police. The IDF insists there is no discrimination but acknowledges that in sectoral enclaves the army refrains from operations to avoid protests.