Police shift blame, IDF does not respond to MKs' inquiries: "We will not allow the cover-up of desertions"
Opposition MKs turned to the Military Advocate General demanding data on the scope of arrests of Haredi deserters, but have yet to receive a response. Amid concerns of a dramatic drop in arrests and the cessation of proactive enforcement operations, the IDF and police are blaming each other. MK Rayten: "We will not allow this duty to be covered up."
Last Saturday evening, MKs Efrat Rayten, Ram Ben Barak, Orit Farkash-Hacohen, and Oded Forer turned to the Military Advocate General, Major General Itai Opher, demanding clarifications and data on the scope of arrests of deserters among yeshiva students in 2026. As of this writing, their request has not been answered. The appeal was made amid concerns that since the law freezing arrests was enacted, and despite being frozen and later overturned by the High Court, there has been a dramatic drop in the number of arrests of Haredi draft evaders, to the point of a de facto halt in enforcement operations. This morning it was reported by ynet that although dozens of deserters fill the military prison, these are arrests made at Ben Gurion Airport by police patrols there, not proactive operations that have ceased in the last two months. IDF sources attributed this to a lack of cooperation from the police, without whom military police soldiers cannot operate in civilian areas. The Israel Police stated that the mission is the responsibility of the military police. MK Rayten said: "The despicable law freezing the arrest of Haredi draft dodgers was struck down by the High Court. The IDF is required to fulfill its duty and act to enlist according to the law. We will not allow this duty to be covered up." The IDF Spokesperson stated that the claim is incorrect, and that the Military Police Corps carries out proactive enforcement operations accompanied by the Israel Police and at border crossings.