JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The Council of the Israel Land Authority has approved a decision to revoke eligibility for charedi draft evaders to receive subsidized housing in the “Price for a Tenant” program (“Dira LeHaskir / Mechir LaMishtaken”). After a legal struggle and attempts by Housing Minister Haim Katz to introduce softened wording, the council passed a version that prohibits charedi individuals who have not enlisted from participating in housing lotteries, which can lead to significant reductions on new housing.

According to the approved wording, eligibility for participation in the lotteries is conditional on the fact that, based on data from the Israel Defense Forces, the individual or either spouse is not defined as a draft evader who has not resolved their military status. Any change to this decision would require a new resolution by the Israel Land Authority Council.

The decision to revoke eligibility aligns with a ruling by the High Court of Justice, which required the imposition of economic sanctions on charedi individuals who do not enlist. Following the council’s decision, a lottery for 4,000 housing units for reservists will be launched tomorrow. Another lottery for 4,000 units for the general public, including charedi applicants, is pending receipt of IDF data regarding draft evaders. The data may arrive later today or tomorrow, after which the second lottery may also proceed, while excluding the charedi draft evaders.

The Deputy Attorney General, Dr. Gil Lemon, is currently examining whether the loss of eligibility for subsidized housing will also apply to charedi draft evaders who already won lotteries but have not yet signed purchase contracts. It is unclear how many couples this may affect.

The loss of eligibility for subsidized housing is described as the most severe sanction imposed on charedi draft evaders, and it will not be lifted unless a law regulating military service is passed. Without such legislation, this sanction is expected to significantly affect the economic structure of charedi households and could serve as a major incentive for enlistment.

In addition, a decision is expected by next week regarding the removal of two additional benefits for charedi draft evaders: eligibility for municipal tax (arnona) discounts and public transportation subsidies. Another sanction, set to take effect at the start of the next school year, is the expansion of the removal of daycare subsidies for any charedi individual who did not serve in the military (including those who are employed).