Haredi crowds greet released draft evaders outside military prison, while protests spread to Jerusalem

Outside Military Prison 10 at the Beit Lid base in the Sharon region on Friday morning, groups of ultra-Orthodox youths held a festive welcome for friends released from detention after being arrested by police and transferred to the military police over draft evasion from the IDF. Video from the release of Aviel Cohen of Netivot showed supporters greeting him with applause and music, and later Nahman Toldano, from a Breslov yeshiva in Jerusalem, was also released, danced with friends, and was taken to the home of community leader Eliezer Berland in the capital.

Military Prison 10 has become a symbol of protest amid the growing wave of arrests of draft dodgers. On Thursday night, a protest service with prayers and penitential songs was held there under the leadership of Rabbi Yehuda Cohen, a member of Shas's Council of Torah Sages, whose student was among those detained. When it became clear that the detainee was expected to be released in the morning, the protesters began dancing, and members of the Shas faction in the Knesset joined them. The previous evening, a large rally of Gur Hasidim had also taken place outside the prison.

By Friday morning, more ultra-Orthodox groups had gathered outside the prison to greet the released detainees. Some Breslov Hasidim blocked roads and clashed with police who tried to clear them away. The protesters shouted at the officers, “Thugs,” “Die today,” and “Instead of doing this, release the hostages.”

Overnight, anti-arrest protests also took place in Jerusalem. At Safra Square, demonstrators blocked traffic, tried to damage vehicles, and disrupted public order. After a police commander declared the event an unlawful disturbance and ordered people to leave, the rioters refused, threw objects at security forces, and continued blocking the road. Jerusalem District police, together with Border Police and Yasam units, then used force, a water cannon, and stun grenades to clear the area, free trapped vehicles, reopen the road, and restore order. By dawn, the roads were reopened and the demonstrators dispersed, and police said two suspects were arrested.