On the way to Uman instead of the base: more than 60 deserters arrested at border crossings

More than 60 deserters, many of them Haredi, have been arrested since Sunday at border crossings on their way to Uman ahead of Rosh Hashanah. Most arrests were made at Ben Gurion Airport and the Taba crossing. The IDF confirmed the arrests but did not provide an exact number or breakdown. The hotline "Hifkadti Shomrim" issued a warning to young Haredi men to avoid approaching border crossings.

More than 60 deserters have been caught at border crossings since Sunday, many of them Haredi on their way to Uman, Ukraine, ahead of Rosh Hashanah. Most arrests were made at Ben Gurion Airport during attempts to leave the country, with additional arrests at the Taba crossing. The IDF confirmed that dozens of deserters were arrested in the past two days but did not provide an exact number or breakdown of those detained. The military emphasized that enforcement is ongoing and coordinated with the Population and Immigration Authority, and that those obligated to enlist can regularize their status. The hotline "Hifkadti Shomrim" issued a warning to young Haredi men at risk of arrest, calling on them to avoid approaching border crossings. Senior Breslov rabbis called on those who might be arrested not to come to Ben Gurion Airport. A Breslov Hasid recounted attempts to leave through various border crossings, including Egypt and Jordan. A source in the Population Authority explained that a technological change implemented as early as Passover allows the identification of those barred from leaving at the check-in stage.