JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Thousands of Haredi yeshiva students and young families have lost their eligibility to participate in Israel’s government-subsidized housing lottery after authorities determined they had not resolved their military draft status.

The cancellations were issued over the past day as the Construction and Housing Ministry began enforcing a policy approved several weeks ago linking participation in the housing program to compliance with conscription requirements.

Families who had already been approved for the program, including some who had entered housing lotteries in communities across Israel, were notified that their eligibility had been revoked.

The decision drew strong criticism from Haredi political leaders, who argued the policy unfairly targets Torah students and their families. They said the measure adds to a series of financial restrictions affecting the Haredi community, including reductions in support for yeshivas and childcare assistance.

United Torah Judaism lawmaker Meir Porush condemned the move, saying every Jew has a right to live in the Land of Israel and should not be denied government housing benefits because of the policy.