More than 70 Israeli mayors and council leaders filed a petition opposing the haredi draft-exemption law, saying it undermines national cohesion and security. They argue many citizens successfully combine Torah study with military or security service. The Knesset passed the temporary measure 58–54 to pause arrests of haredi draft evaders for at least six months, but the High Court of Justice has provisionally frozen the law while demanding explanations from the Knesset and government.
70+ Israeli Mayors File Petition Against Haredi Draft-Exemption Law, Calling It A Threat To National Cohesion
Haredi men are seen protesting the effort to draft ultra-Orthodox Israelis into the IDF. (photo credit: FLASH90)
More than 70 mayors and local council leaders from across Israel filed a petition on Wednesday opposing the recently approved haredi (ultra-Orthodox) draft-exemption law, arguing it weakens national cohesion and security at a sensitive time for the country.
'Studying Torah is an important value in the Jewish people, but no less important than that is the value of preserving and defending the land,' the petition states, adding that many residents demonstrate it is possible to combine Torah study with service in the IDF and other security forces.
The petition warns that the legislation enacted last week delivers a serious blow to national resilience and social unity. It says the measure should not have been introduced at this delicate moment given the security challenges Israel faces now and may face in the future.
Signatories and Political Context
Signatories include Idan Greenbaum, head of the Jordan Valley Regional Council; Haim Bibas, mayor of Modi'in and chairman of the Federation of Local Authorities; Shay Hajaj, head of the Merhavim Regional Council and chairman of the Federation of Regional Councils; along with mayors of cities such as Herzliya, Ramat Hasharon and Kfar Saba.
Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men protest outside Military Prison near Kfar Yona, central Israel, against the jailing of seminary students who failed to comply with an army recruitment order, July 16, 2026. (credit: Tal Gal/Flash90)
Last week the Knesset plenum passed the contested bill by a vote of 58–54. The law temporarily halts arrests of haredi draft evaders and is expected to remain in effect for at least six months.
Legal Reaction
The measure's passage came after sharp legal warnings that the law is unbalanced and unlikely to increase haredi enlistment despite the IDF's severe manpower shortages. It also drew anger from bereaved families and reservists.
The day after the vote, the High Court of Justice issued a provisional order temporarily freezing the law. Justice Ofer Grosskopf suspended its entry into force until further notice and demanded that the Knesset and government explain why the law should not be struck down.
Reporters Keshet Neev and Sarah Ben-Nun contributed to this report.
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