Bismuth Releases 90-Day Bill Freezing Arrests of Haredi Draft Evaders

Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Boaz Bismuth (Likud) released the full text of legislation on Sunday that would suspend for 90 days all arrests, investigations and enforcement proceedings against full-time yeshiva students eligible for security service, defining a yeshiva student as one studying at least 45 hours per week at a recognized institution. The bill follows an urgent letter from Defense Minister Israel Katz requesting committee action. Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs warned colleagues that continued arrests risked 'tearing the rope with the haredi public to the point, God forbid, of civil war, less than a week before the start of the Three Weeks.' Bismuth said the arrests 'create the opposite effect from what is desired and keep young haredim away from service tracks.' Shas chairman Aryeh Deri said 'the violent arrests of Torah students must stop,' while UTJ and Degel Hatorah leaders said Prime Minister Netanyahu pledged to move the measure quickly through three sessions this week.