The Israel Defense Forces and Israel Police have stopped proactively arresting ultra-Orthodox draft evaders, according to Hebrew media reports this week.

Citing judicial sources, the Kan public broadcaster said the IDF and police have been “deterred” by mass demonstrations by ultra-Orthodox protesters that caused significant disruptions across the country in recent months.

Police sources told the Haaretz daily that the arrests were suspended in August at the IDF’s initiative, the same month when the last protest against Haredi conscription was held.

Police, who detain draft evaders at the IDF’s initiative, reportedly said they do not plan to soon resume the arrest operations.

The IDF denied to Haaretz that the enforcement operations were halted, saying Military Police continue to conduct arrests at border crossings and population centers together with the Israel Police. The military also insisted there was “equal enforcement,” despite figures showing most of those arrested for draft evasion have not been ultra-Orthodox.

Currently, approximately 80,000 Haredi men between the ages of 18 and 24 are eligible for military service and have not enlisted. The Attorney General’s Office has........

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