As thousands of yeshiva students face uncertainty over their military status, Israel’s Employment Service has clarified that Chareidim who have not resolved their draft status cannot be denied employment solely because of their military standing. The clarification comes in response to questions about whether such individuals may work at polling stations during the upcoming Knesset elections.

Following an inquiry  regarding the employment of young Chareidi men who have not regularized their status with the military authorities, the Employment Service said it does not examine the military status of job seekers. At the same time, it stressed that eligibility requirements for election-related positions are determined exclusively by the Central Elections Committee.

Earlier Sunday, the Central Elections Committee and the Employment Service announced a broad partnership to recruit thousands of workers for Israel’s 26th Knesset elections. The hiring campaign includes positions such as polling station attendants, logistics personnel, technical support staff, administrative employees, and other election-related roles.

In light of that announcement, the Employment Service was asked whether Chareidi draft evaders would be eligible to participate in the recruitment effort for Election Day jobs.

Responding to the inquiry, the Employment Service stated: “The Employment Service is obligated to operate in accordance with the principle prohibiting discrimination (Section 42 of the Employment Service Law) and to refer job seekers regardless of their military status, and there is an absolute prohibition against requesting or making use of a military profile.”

The agency added, however, that employees of the Central Elections Committee are subject to separate legal eligibility requirements.

“However, employees of the Central Elections Committee are subject to unique and stringent eligibility requirements established by law, including prohibitions relating to political affiliation or certain criminal convictions, and the Employment Service is not authorized to intervene in those requirements or in the employment relationship itself.”

Earlier in the day, the Central Elections Committee also addressed the question.

In its response, the committee said: “The Central Elections Committee attaches great importance to the participation of the entire population in the election operation, whether as polling committee secretaries and election integrity supervisors, committee members, or observers, all subject to the provisions of the law. The committee is responsible for conducting the elections, but, as is well known, it is not an authority with investigative or law enforcement powers.”

The committee further explained: “The eligibility requirements for these positions are established by law. Anyone who meets those requirements may be appointed to the position. In any event, the committee’s consistent position is that the polling station is neutral territory, and considerations unrelated to the proper conduct of the elections should not be introduced into it.”

The clarification comes as the Central Elections Committee and the Employment Service move forward with plans to recruit thousands of workers for the upcoming election. Under the initiative, the Employment Service will assist in filling polling station, logistics, technical support, administrative, and other positions through a dedicated recruitment website and direct outreach to job seekers across the country.

The announcement also follows an earlier decision by the Central Elections Committee that no enforcement operations targeting draft evaders will be conducted on Election Day, ensuring that all eligible voters can cast their ballots without fear of arrest.

At the same time, officials emphasized that employment for Election Day remains governed by the legal eligibility requirements established by the Central Elections Committee.

{Matzav.com}