High Court orders Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar to decide within 30 days on arnona tax discounts for draft evaders

In depth

The High Court of Justice ordered Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar to decide within 30 days whether to make arnona discounts conditional on regularizing status with the IDF. The justices ruled that this is not merely about carrying out the terms of a judgment, but about enforcing the general duty of military service. The finance minister and the transportation minister were required to decide within 21 days on discounts on public transportation.

The Israel Freedom movement filed a notice with the High Court after Gideon Sa'ar was appointed interior minister, demanding that he be ordered to revoke arnona discounts for draft dodgers and deserters within 14 days. The movement noted that with the appointment, the state's grounds for delaying implementation of the court's decision from April 2026 had been removed.

The state was required to update the High Court on criminal enforcement and on cooperation between the army and the police. The decision concerns those obligated to serve who were called up to IDF service and have not regularized their status.