Last Four Solberg Detainees Released After Prison Protest Scare

The final four detainees in the Solberg case were released home Thursday evening from Nitzan Prison. The release came after earlier reports that one detainee, described as a deserter, might be handed over to the Military Police, a rumor that drew a large protest outside the prison in Ramla.

At the same time, police said five protesters were arrested during a violent demonstration earlier in the day on Highway 4 near Bnei Brak. One of those arrested was later released to house arrest, while another remained in custody and is due to face a Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court hearing on Friday for a possible extension of his detention.

The spontaneous protest on Highway 4 was organized by members of the “Ratzpanikim” faction of the Jerusalem Faction and was held in response to the arrest of yeshiva students who refused to appear at enlistment offices. It ended in scenes that drew outrage across the ultra-Orthodox public.

Witnesses and video shared online said police and Border Police units used heavy force to clear the road, including beatings, dragging protesters who were sitting on the asphalt, and what eyewitnesses described as unusual use of stun grenades. Medical teams were called to treat the injured, while police said the protest had not been coordinated or approved and had broken out unexpectedly during rush hour.