Israelis Hold Holiday Prayer Near Betunia After Reservist's Arrest

Dozens of Israelis gathered Tuesday at Betunia Square in the Benjamin region for a holiday prayer service, approximately one month after a reservist soldier was arrested by Palestinian police near the Betunia bypass in Area C and taken to Ramallah. The prayer event was organized as part of a campaign to reopen the "Axis of the Strong" route connecting the Talmonim bloc to Jerusalem.

Organizers stated that hundreds of vehicles participated in the festive morning prayer and Hallel service. They described the event as a response to the reservist's abduction by Palestinian Authority police and a call for the Israeli military and government to reassert full sovereignty across all sectors. They emphasized that the IDF provided security for the event, asserting that "wherever Jews pass, there must be full security."

Earlier in the month, Israeli forces arrested three Palestinian police officers involved in setting up a roadblock near Betunia, detaining and assaulting an Israeli civilian while exceeding their authority in Area C. These officers were taken for questioning. Security officials called the incident a "severe deviation by the mechanisms, endangering the life of the Israeli citizen and using aggressive and severe force against him." The IDF stressed its adherence to security coordination as directed by the political echelon, but stated it "will not accept any deviation from procedures."

The incident occurred when Shlomo Rosenthal, a member of a neighborhood watch, was driving from his home to Jerusalem via the Betunia bypass. He recounted being stopped by Palestinian police, who identified themselves and demanded he surrender his weapon. Rosenthal refused, and he described being pepper-sprayed, kicked, and assaulted by multiple officers who eventually took his weapon and arrested him. He was then driven to Ramallah, where he saw a crowd gathered. Later, in coordination with the District Coordination Office, he was transferred to IDF forces and taken to the police station in Modi'in Illit, where his testimony was taken and his weapon was returned.