Uman-bound haredi draft evaders stopped at airport, Taba border

**Increased Security Checks Halt Haredi Men Attempting to Leave Israel**

*Jerusalem – September 2, 2026* – Israeli security forces intercepted several groups of Haredi (ultra‑Orthodox) men who were attempting to travel abroad in violation of active military service obligations, officials said.

The Israel Airports Authority released a statement confirming that, on Wednesday, security personnel at Ben Gurion International Airport identified six men who were subject to compulsory service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and were trying to exit the country illegally. Two of the men were detained in Terminal 1 and the remaining four were apprehended in Terminal 3. After their detention, the individuals were transferred to representatives of the Population and Immigration Authority, which verified that each had active military orders that prohibited them from leaving Israel.

In addition to the airport arrests, authorities reported that dozens of Breslov Hasidim were stopped from traveling to Uman, Ukraine, where many Haredi pilgrims gather for the Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) celebrations. The same security measures that led to the airport detentions were applied at the Taba border crossing with Egypt. A group of Hasidic men attempting to cross into Egypt – with the intention of flying onward to Europe and then to Uman – were intercepted after officials determined that they had failed to report to IDF recruitment offices as required.

The incidents reflect a broader effort by Israeli security agencies to enforce conscription laws among the Haredi community, a demographic that has historically been exempted or deferred from military service. The Ministry of Defense has repeatedly warned that individuals who do not comply with recruitment obligations may face legal consequences, including restrictions on international travel.

No arrests have been reported beyond the initial detentions, and the men are expected to be processed in accordance with existing military and immigration regulations. The Israeli government has not released further details about the number of individuals involved or any subsequent legal actions.

Article and image source: israelnationalnews.com