JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Israel’s Ministry of Construction and Housing announced on Wednesday that charedi applicants who registered for the government’s “Apartment with Discount” (Dira B’Hanacha) housing lottery have been disqualified from participating because they are classified as draft evaders.

The move follows an order by the Supreme Court of Israel directing the government to tighten enforcement against individuals obligated to serve in the military and to deny certain economic benefits to those who fail to report for IDF service.

In an email sent to thousands of Torah students, the ministry wrote: “In accordance with the Supreme Court’s decision and the resolution of the Israel Land Council, effective May 25, 2026, eligibility to participate in the ‘Apartment with Discount’ lottery is contingent upon IDF records showing that neither the applicant nor either member of a couple registering for the lottery is classified by the IDF as a person liable for military service who has not regularized his or her status.

“According to information received from the IDF, you are classified as someone who has not regularized your status. Therefore, you are not eligible to participate in the lottery.”

As part of implementing the new policy in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directives, the government has decided to revoke five major state benefits from individuals classified as draft evaders:

• Eligibility for the “Apartment with Discount” housing lotteries.
• Subsidized tuition at institutions of higher education.
• Discounts on after-school childcare programs.
• Subsidized public transportation.
• Municipal property tax (arnona) discounts.

MK Meir Porush criticized the Housing Ministry’s decision, saying:

“The land of the Land of Israel was given by the Holy One, Blessed be He, to the Jewish people. Every Jew has a share in this land, and the Housing Ministry’s announcement conveys a message of taking away what rightfully belongs to each of us.

“Every Jew has the right to live in the Land of Israel, and therefore every Jew is also entitled to all the rights the state grants regarding land.”