Israeli High Court Orders Removal of State Benefits for Haredi Draft Evaders

Apr 26, 2026, 18:01

Introduction

The High Court of Justice in Israel has ordered the government to apply financial and criminal penalties against ultra-Orthodox men who avoid mandatory military service. The court stated that the government has failed to enforce existing laws regarding conscription.

Main Body

The court's order, issued on April 26, requires the state to create clear methods for removing public subsidies from those who evade the draft. For example, the Labor Ministry and the Israel Land Council must decide within 21 days how to link subsidized housing and childcare benefits to a person's military status. Additionally, other ministers have 35 days to decide on removing discounts for public transport and municipal taxes. The court emphasized that these actions are not intended as punishments, but rather as the withdrawal of benefits from people who have not met their legal duties. This decision follows previous rulings, including a June 2024 judgment which asserted that the government cannot ignore the Security Service Law. The current order was issued after the state failed to follow a November 2025 directive to create an enforcement policy. Although the government argued that the issue should be solved through new laws, the court rejected this claim, noting that previous legislative promises had not been kept. Furthermore, the court highlighted a serious manpower shortage in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during the current conflict. Data shows that about 76,000 men of draft age are currently evaders, and roughly 80% of them are from the Haredi community. The court criticized the lack of enforcement, noting that very few evaders were arrested between January 2025 and January 2026. While groups like Israel Hofsheet claimed the decision is necessary for legal equality and national security, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tried to maintain exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox community to keep his governing coalition stable. Critics describe these efforts as a way to allow 'draft dodging'.

Conclusion

The state must now provide an update on its progress to the court by June 1. This marks a shift from legal discussions to the actual enforcement of the draft law.

Vocabulary Learning

conscription (n.)
mandatory military service / required to serve in the army強制徵兵
Example:The conscription of young men increased the army's numbers during the conflict.
directive (n.)
an official instruction or order / 指令
Example:The government ignored the directive to enforce the law.
enforcement (n.)
the act of making sure rules are obeyed / 執行
Example:The new policy focuses on the enforcement of conscription.
evader (n.)
a person who avoids an obligation or duty / 避免者
Example:The court targeted the evaders who were refusing to enlist.
exemption (n.)
a permission to not follow a rule / 例外
Example:Netanyahu sought exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox community.

Sentence Learning

The High Court of Justice in Israel has ordered the government to apply financial and criminal penalties against ultra-Orthodox men who avoid mandatory military service.
Relative Clause: This clause adds essential information about the men, specifying that they avoid mandatory military service.關係子句: 此子句為關於男子的必要資訊，說明他們避免強制徵兵。
The current order was issued after the state failed to follow a November 2025 directive to create an enforcement policy.
Passive Voice: The action (issuing the order) is performed by the court, but the subject (court) is not explicitly stated; the focus is on the order itself.被動語態: 句子重點在於命令本身，動作由法院發出，但主語未明確指出。
Although the government argued that the issue should be solved through new laws, the court rejected this claim, noting that previous legislative promises had not been kept.
Linking Word (Although): Introduces a contrast between the government's position and the court's rejection.連接詞（雖然）: 引入政府立場與法院否決之對比。
While groups like Israel Hofsheet claimed the decision is necessary for legal equality and national security, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tried to maintain exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox community to keep his governing coalition stable.
Linking Word (While): Shows a contrast between the groups' claim and the Prime Minister's actions.連接詞（雖然）: 展示團體主張與總理行動之對比。
The court emphasized that these actions are not intended as punishments, but rather as the withdrawal of benefits from people who have not met their legal duties.
Contrastive Conjunction (But Rather): Highlights the difference between punishment and withdrawal of benefits.對比連接詞（但相反）: 強調懲罰與撤銷福利之差異。