The IDF says it will resume proactive operations to locate and arrest draft evaders this month, after suspending such arrests during the Yom Tov period while concentrating enforcement efforts at Israel’s border crossings.

The announcement came during a follow-up meeting chaired by Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon, where new figures were presented regarding enforcement against Chareidi draft evaders.

According to the data, 212 draft evaders were arrested at Israeli border crossings during September, including 163 Chareidim.

Officials also revealed that 64 draft evaders managed to leave Israel without being apprehended and were arrested only when they returned through Ben Gurion Airport.

The Population and Immigration Authority has now been asked to investigate whether a loophole exists that allows individuals wanted for failing to report for military service to leave Israel despite outstanding orders against them.

During the meeting, the IDF said it had refrained from initiating arrests of draft evaders during the Yom Tov period because enforcement resources were focused on border crossings. The military said proactive enforcement operations will resume during October.

Limon reportedly demanded that the IDF restart proactive arrests and also called for a review of the military prosecution’s policies governing criminal charges against draft evaders.

Among the proposals being examined is lowering the amount of time an individual must have evaded service before becoming eligible for criminal prosecution, potentially significantly increasing the number of indictments.

The looming resumption of arrests is causing concern within Chareidi political circles, particularly following confrontations surrounding attempted arrests in Modiin overnight.

There are fears that renewed arrests of yeshiva bochurim could trigger widespread protests and confrontations, while further fueling anger among young Chareidim toward their political representatives over the failure to pass legislation protecting the status of lomdei Torah.

Chareidi political officials are also reportedly concerned about the broader political ramifications. A renewed wave of arrests and protests could return the draft crisis to the center of Israel’s political agenda and potentially further destabilize the governing right-wing bloc.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)