Arad Mayor Halts Enforcement Against Anti-IDF Draft Banners, Citing Free Speech

Arad Mayor Yair Maayan ordered the municipality's director-general on Monday to immediately halt enforcement action against vehicles displaying banners opposing IDF enlistment. In a social media statement, Maayan asserted that the municipal crackdown violated local bylaws and infringed upon freedom of expression.

While halting the enforcement, Maayan firmly reiterated his support for universal military service, including for ultra-Orthodox citizens. He criticized individuals who neither study in yeshivas nor enlist, arguing that wartime duties apply to all.

"I instructed the municipal CEO to immediately stop the enforcement against vehicles carrying anti-IDF enlistment signs," Maayan wrote. He added that the measures contradicted both municipal regulations and democratic values protecting free speech.

Maayan emphasized that his personal opposition to the anti-draft protest does not justify restricting the demonstrators' rights. "Every person, even if we oppose their views, has the right to express them publicly and demonstrate," he stated.

Simultaneously, the Arad mayor voiced strong support for expanding military and national service obligations. "It is mandatory to serve in the IDF for all citizens of the State of Israel—Jews and Arabs, religious and secular, and also the ultra-Orthodox," he wrote, adding that those exempt from military service must perform national service.

Maayan criticized ultra-Orthodox individuals who neither study nor enlist, as well as rabbis instructing them to evade service. "During wartime, everyone is obligated to enlist, even a groom from his chamber and a bride from her canopy," he concluded.