Israel High Court Suspends Law Shielding Ultra-Orthodox Draft Evaders

The Supreme Court of Israel issued a temporary injunction on Wednesday suspending a law passed by the Knesset the previous day. The legislation would have shielded ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) draft evaders from arrest and enforcement proceedings.

Justice Ofer Grosskopf halted the implementation of the law, citing existing jurisprudence on yeshiva student conscription and concerns over selective enforcement. The law had faced opposition from IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and legal advisers, while petitioners argued the measure was discriminatory against non-ultra-Orthodox conscripts.

Coalition members reacted sharply to the ruling. Shas chairman Aryeh Deri condemned the move as judicial activism, arguing the court chose to deepen the crisis rather than allow a process for broad consensus. Housing Minister Meir Porush labeled the ruling illegal, asserting that any officer arresting Torah scholars would be acting unlawfully.

The court has granted the state four days to respond before an expedited hearing takes place.