Shas lawmaker Michael Malkieli sharply criticized the police on Wednesday morning in an interview with ynet, after recent ultra-Orthodox protests against military conscription, including demonstrations on Route 4 and later near Prison 10. He said police were supposed to keep order, but instead acted like “criminals in uniform,” claiming officers beat people who were not necessarily involved, dragged some off the sidewalk and kicked them in the head. He also said the same police force had “allowed anarchy in Tel Aviv.” The police suspended the officer filmed kicking a haredi demonstrator in the head.
Malkieli said large parts of the ultra-Orthodox public refuse enlistment even though there is no law exempting them, and insisted, “We are a law-abiding public.” He said the party’s rabbis had not told members to protest, but argued that “they are breaking the haredim,” accusing police of using batons against women who came to shop. He also charged that while there is street violence, extortion and murders in Arab society, the police are choosing to focus on Torah students.
He turned his criticism toward Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, calling her part of an opposition camp and accusing her of an “obsessive persecution” of Torah learners and of starving children. Referring to orders she directed the IDF to issue in May 2025, Malkieli asked rhetorically whether the community would change its way of life because of her decisions. He added that Torah scholars protect the Jewish people and said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should support them.
Motti Babchik, described as one of the most influential figures in United Torah Judaism, also spoke to ynet about a separate protest he helped organize near Prison 10. He said the demonstrators “came and left quietly,” challenged reporters to find any clash with police, and stressed that it was called an assembly, not a protest. Babchik said the action was meant to coordinate with police and was prompted by recent arrests of ultra-Orthodox men who study instead of enlist. He said the rabbi decided to stage the demonstration in front of the prison because that is where those detainees are held, claimed 240 buses and thousands of cars brought about 20,000 people, and said they are considering further steps.
