Yeshiva leaders have opted not to cancel Passover despite the ongoing war in Gaza. The attorney for the Yeshiva Association presented this decision to the Supreme Court as a basis for not conscripting ultra-religious youth into the army, noting that "many of them have already purchased tickets for the holiday abroad."
According to a report from the economic publication Calcalist, yeshiva holidays span the entire month of Nissan and commence on the first of Nissan (Wednesday, April 10).
Attorney Samuel Horowitz, representing the Yeshiva Association, stated in a response submitted to the High Court, "The month of Nissan serves as a period of preparation for and celebration of Passover, as well as an opportunity for family reunions in Israel and abroad."
Therefore, Horowitz argues, yeshiva students cannot be drafted during this time and should wait at least a month. He highlights that the Nissan holiday holds a longstanding tradition in yeshivas, with many students pre-booking flights abroad to reunite with family and participate in Passover Seders.
Furthermore, Horowitz emphasizes that the High Court's decision regarding the conscription of yeshiva students impacts 63,000 citizens who "have not violated the law," referring to young individuals who lost their deferment status from service on July 1, 2023.
Horowitz asserts that conscripting yeshiva students requires logistical preparations to accommodate their service conditions, which have not yet been addressed.
