Israel arrests 40 Haredi students at Ben Gurion Airport over draft evasion

Israeli military police have detained more than 40 Haredi Chabad students at Ben Gurion Airport on suspicion of evading mandatory military conscription.

• Military police arrested over 40 Haredi Chabad students at the airport upon their return from a year of religious study in New York on Tuesday morning.
• The students were transferred to the Tel Hashomer induction center, where military officials said refusers face military prison and willing recruits receive suspended disciplinary measures.
• The Israeli military said the detained students were obligated to serve and would face legal procedures in accordance with the law.
• Netanyahu opposed the arrests, warning that coercion could backfire, while Chabad announced a series of protests in response.