State Indicts Beit Shemesh Resident Over Arson During Draft Protest

Israel’s State Attorney’s Office filed a severe indictment on Tuesday in Jerusalem District Court against Yosef Friedman, 46, of Beit Shemesh, charging him with three counts of arson and one count of rioting. Prosecutors say he set vegetation on fire near the Beit Shemesh police station during a violent protest tied to the arrest of a yeshiva student who had evaded military service.

According to the indictment, filed by attorney Shiral Alder of the Jerusalem District Prosecutor’s Office, calls were spread after the student’s arrest urging people to gather near the police station. During the night, hundreds of protesters arrived, and the demonstration quickly escalated into violent unrest.

During the riot, the station gate was broken open, police officers were attacked, objects and stones were thrown, property was damaged, and fire points were set around the station. Prosecutors allege that Friedman set fire to vegetation next to the station fence on three separate occasions, in different spots and only minutes apart.

In each case, the flames reportedly burned for only a few seconds before going out. The prosecution is asking the court to keep Friedman in custody until the end of the proceedings because of the seriousness of the alleged offenses.