IDF detains some 50 Hassidic draft evaders arriving from New York at Ben-Gurion Airport

Fifty Chabad hasidim returned from a year of studying abroad in New York's 770 World Headquarters and were promptly detained at Ben-Gurion Airport for draft evasion.

The IDF, which had advance notice of their arrival, confiscated the passports of several youths and detained a large number of deserters.

Dozens of the detained have reportedly already been released, while a number of others have been transferred into military custody.

Those who remained in custody were loaded onto a bus and transported to the IDF recruitment center at Tel Hashomer to face trial.

According to Army Radio, any of the detainees willing to immediately enlist at the recruitment center will receive a suspended sentence. Those who refuse will be tried and sent to military prison.

The IDF has prepared for the likelihood of protests by haredi factions around the Tel Hashomer base and Kfar Yona prison, having alerted the Israel Police in expectation of mass demonstrations.