Thousands of ultra-Orthodox individuals avoiding military service had planned to travel to Uman for Rosh Hashanah, but may now be prevented from leaving Israel following a procedural change by the Population and Immigration Authority.
The authority, operating under the Interior Ministry, revised its departure procedures in coordination with the Attorney General's office to prevent those subject to court-ordered travel bans from leaving the country.
Previously, travelers faced exit restriction checks only at passport control. The report indicates some ultra-Orthodox draft evaders exploited this by closely following another traveler without a ban through the gate, allowing them to bypass the checkpoint.
The new system blocks anyone with an exit restriction from completing airline check-in. Airlines are now notified at check-in of any restrictions, preventing affected individuals from proceeding through the airport.
Organizations representing ultra-Orthodox draft evaders expressed outrage over the change. With annual preparations underway for the Uman pilgrimage ahead of Rosh Hashanah, they contend thousands who previously used the loophole will now be unable to travel.
The Population and Immigration Authority responded: "In recent months, the departure process from Israel has indeed been streamlined, and it was decided that anyone who has an exit restriction order against them will be informed of it at the beginning of the departure process from Israel rather than at the end, so that they can resolve the matter before beginning the process."