Chabad bochurim freed, sent to draft office

When the bochurim arrived in Israel, after passing through border control, they were taken to a side room to await the arrival of an officer from Tel Hashomer who would decide how to proceed. A source involved in the matter told Kikar Hashabbat that the bochurim had anticipated the possibility of arrest, as they had been unable to arrange their status with the IDF.

Many of their family members, who had not seen them for over a year, were waiting in the arrivals hall for their return. Now, following the release, they are expected to be reunited with their sons.

Two of the arrested yeshiva students were classified as draft evaders because they had failed to answer their first draft summons for more than 540 days. They were sentenced to detention in Military Prison 10. The other detainees weren't classified as evaders, and it had earlier been suggested that they might be released under restrictive conditions.

As this article was being finalized, the IDF Spokesperson's Office issued a statement: "As part of the IDF's ongoing enforcement operations to enforce the Defense Service Law, 42 draft evaders were arrested today (Tuesday)."

"All evaders were tried in accordance with the standard procedure. Of the total evaders, 27 expressed willingness to enlist and were found fit for military service. Accordingly, they were sentenced to a suspended sentence and released, and will begin orderly enlistment procedures for service in the IDF in the near future."

"Thirteen additional evaders expressed unwillingness to cooperate with the enlistment process, and accordingly were tried and sent to military prison. Two additional evaders, who have been evading military service for an extended period exceeding 540 days, were sent directly to detention in military prison."

The arrests sparked an uproar in the chareidi public, particularly given the bochurim's affiliation with Chabad chassidus and the ongoing battle over the draft of bnei yeshiva. United Torah Judaism chairman MK Yaakov Asher sharply attacked the arrests, claiming they were intended to disrupt the election process.

"For some time I have been warning about attempts to disrupt the election process through unnecessary arrests that contribute nothing to the army or to enlistment," Asher said. "This morning I was shocked to hear about the arrest of Chabad yeshiva bochurim who arrived in the country, being detained at the airport."

Shas also launched a sharp attack against Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, accusing her of "blatant and unprecedented political interference in the election campaign." On the instruction of Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, MK Yinon Azulai is working with senior IDF officials demanding the immediate release of the bochurim.

Chabad has had an arrangement with the IDF for years where bochurim enlist approximately one year after their wedding and a year of kollel study. Under this framework, and in accordance with the Lubavitcher Rebbe's guidance on the matter, many young men from the chassidus have enlisted over the years.

Officers' Course Graduation Ceremony in Hashmonaim Brigade

Ironically, this evening a ceremony will be held in Jerusalem marking the completion of the first officers' course of the Hashmonaim Brigade, at which 15 course graduates will receive the rank of second lieutenant. Among the graduates are two Chabad chassidim.

The course lasted approximately eight months, and upon its completion the brigade will for the first time integrate chareidi combat officers who emerged from within its ranks. This is also the IDF's first officers' course adapted to the chareidi lifestyle, including aspects of kashrus and halacha.

The ceremony takes place alongside the storm over the arrest of Chabad bochurim and the ongoing controversy surrounding the IDF's draft policy vis-à-vis the chareidi public.