Several Chabad yeshiva bochurim recently approached the IDF authorities with a request to allow them to fly abroad for Gimmel Tammuz without it being considered in violation of the draft. However, their request was refused. The reason given was that the bochurim that stayed too long abroad, exceeding the allowable limit set by the Tal Commission and the Meitav Commission in Tel Hashomer.

When lawyer Nechama Tzivin spoke with a senior military source in the draft department, she discovered that the law allows yeshiva students up to the age of 21 to remain abroad for up to 30 days. Anyone who remains abroad for a period of over 30 days or whose accumulated time abroad between the ages of 18 to 21 has exceeded 30 days is not granted permission to leave the country.

When the Chabad bochurim submitted their request to the Yeshiva Students’ Department of the IDF, it was passed on to the Meitav Commission, who turned it down.

This refusal has very serious ramifications - anyone who travels abroad without a permit will be drafted immediately.

Although various figures tried to intercede, the IDF refused to change its decision.
(SOURCE: COL.ORG.IL)