Eight ultra-Orthodox (haredi) rioters were arrested overnight after breaking into a police station in Beit Shemesh following the arrest of an alleged draft dodger, Israel Police said on Monday morning.
Footage of the incident shared by Israel Police showed numerous protesters gathered outside the station after the suspect had been arrested by military police.
Several rioters succeeded in breaking into the compound, according to Israeli media. Police added that others had attempted to “block traffic by throwing stones on Route 38.”
The footage also showed that nearby vegetation was set on fire by rioters, endangering local residents, though the fire did not spread to any buildings.
Ynet reported later on Monday that police had successfully dispersed the riot using batons and stun grenades.
IDF reportedly requests police to aid in draft dodger arrests
On Wednesday, Israeli public broadcaster KAN News reported that the IDF requested police assistance in preparation for mass arrests of haredi draft dodgers, with hundreds of officers expected to assist.
“These days, joint planning work is taking place with the Israel Police to coordinate the Military Police’s enforcement activities in the public sphere,” the military said. “We emphasize that coordination is critical and affects the areas in which the IDF can operate to carry out arrests.”
According to KAN, Israel Police chief Daniel Levy has previously refused to allocate police officers for operations of this kind.
A recent meeting of the High Court of Justice criticized the Israel Police for a lack of enforcement during past protests, with Degel HaTorah party chairman MK Moshe Gafni responding by calling on party members throughout the country to stop cooperating with police.
“Following the change in Israel Police policy, and so that we will not, God forbid, be partners in harming the holy Torah and those who study it, I ask that cooperation with the Israel Police, including municipal policing, be stopped immediately, until further notice,” said Gafni.
Ariella Roitman contributed to this report.
