Israeli Authorities Arrest Over 60 Haredi Draft Dodgers at Border Crossings Ahead of Rosh Hashanah
More than 60 draft dodgers, many of whom are Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men, have been arrested at Israeli border crossings since Sunday. These arrests primarily occurred at Ben-Gurion Airport and the Taba border crossing as individuals attempted to leave Israel for Uman, Ukraine, ahead of Rosh Hashanah. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the arrests, stating that enforcement is routine and coordinated with the Population and Immigration Authority. Preparations for these arrests are adjusted based on situational assessments. The IDF emphasized that those required to enlist can regularize their status and report for service. A hotline, 'I Entrusted Guards,' has warned Haredi youths about the risk of arrest at border crossings, including land routes, and reported that some arrested individuals have been transferred to military prison, potentially remaining there during Rosh Hashanah. This year, the annual pilgrimage to Uman has become a sensitive issue within the Haredi community due to the increased enf...
