Court ruling9/3/2026

High Court of Justice Strikes Down Law Freezing Arrests of Haredi Draft Evaders

Israel's High Court of Justice unanimously struck down the law that froze the arrests of Haredi draft evaders. All nine justices found a substantive defect in the legislative process, and eight also ruled that the amendment infringed the constitutional right to equality.

Key facts

•Court: Israel's High Court of Justice — HCJ
•Decision date: September 3, 2026
•Panel: Nine justices
•Outcome: The law was struck down unanimously
•Eight justices ruled that the right to equality had been infringed
•The case number is not specified in the source

What the Court Ruled

The High Court of Justice ruled to strike down the law on Thursday, September 3, 2026. All nine justices supported the decision. The case number and details of the petitioners are not specified in the source.

Defect in the Legislative Process

Between the first reading and the second and third readings, the bill underwent far-reaching changes. The justices concluded that, as a result, it was effectively a new law. In the view of all members of the panel, this procedural defect alone justified striking down the law.

Infringement of the Right to Equality

Eight of the nine justices also ruled that the amendment was substantively unconstitutional. They concluded that it severely infringed the core of the constitutional right to equality. The court's majority thus identified not only an improper process for adopting the provision, but also a problem with its substance.

Criticism of the Government

Supreme Court Deputy President Noam Sohlberg wrote the concluding judgment. He criticized the government and noted that those responsible for adopting the amendment were not sincerely convinced of its constitutionality even during the legislative process.

What this means for you

Following its invalidation, the law can no longer serve as a basis for freezing the arrests of Haredi draft evaders. The decision also shows that substantively changing a bill after its first reading may lead to the law being struck down, particularly when the changes effectively create a new piece of legislation. The source does not clarify the specific process for resuming or carrying out the arrests.

Find a lawyer for this topic

Case analysis based on court rulings