Dozens of ultra-Orthodox protesters demonstrated Monday morning outside Military Prison 10, near the gate of the base. Video from the scene showed demonstrators sitting on the road at the entrance, trying to break through barriers and carrying signs reading, among other things, “Free Solberg’s captives from the military prison.” Security forces tried to clear the crowd, triggering clashes.
The protest came a week after a large demonstration by the Gur Hasidic community outside the military prison at the Beit Lid camp. Gur is now planning another protest against conscription and the arrest of draft evaders, this time in the form of a car convoy scheduled for Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. The convoy is expected to depart from locations across the country toward the prison, slow traffic, and make travel in the area more difficult. Organizers informed police in advance, and the event is expected to end at 8:00 p.m. amid concern about heavy traffic congestion.
Meanwhile, at midnight overnight, a warm welcome was held in Ashdod’s District H for Gur Hasid Yechiel Kotiner, who was released from military prison. A similar procession for released draft evaders was also held in Beitar Illit, where children were asked to come in Shabbat clothes, wave flags prepared for the event, and receive candy for joining the march.
Last Friday, another celebratory reception was held outside Military Prison 10 for young ultra-Orthodox men detained by police and handed over to the military police for draft evasion. The crowd greeted the released men with applause and music, while some blocked roads and clashed with police who tried to remove them. The protesters shouted at officers, “Rascals,” “Die today,” and “Instead of doing this, release the captives.”
