27 Bochurim Forced to Draft, 13 to Face Military Trial

After hours of intervention by Chabad askonim, 40 of the 42 bochurim arrested at Ben Gurion Airport on Tuesday morning have been released. However, 27 were forced to agree to enlist in the IDF as a condition of their release, 13 still face military hearings, and two remain in military prison.

The bochurim were arrested upon returning from their year of kevutza by the Rebbe at 770. After a long flight from New York, they were met by military police instead of being reunited with their families, who had been waiting to welcome them home after 14 months. The bochurim were handcuffed and taken away under military guard, sparking widespread outrage.

Of the 42 arrested, 27 were brought before a military judge and required to sign commitments to enlist before being allowed to return home. Another 13, who did not agree to enlist, were initially facing military imprisonment but were subsequently released following further intervention by Chabad askonim. They are still expected to appear before a military judge.

Two additional bochurim, whom the military classified as prosecutorial draft evaders over more than 540 days without reporting, were transferred to Military Prison 10, where they remain imprisoned awaiting trial.

Attorney Menachem Stauber and R’ Shimon Shisha worked extensively to secure the bochurim’s release, alongside other Chabad askonim and the Beis Din Rabbonei Chabad, which had been in contact with military authorities even before the flight arrived.