Clash Erupts in Beitar Illit After Police Arrest Suspect

A disturbance occurred in Beitar Illit on Saturday evening near the large yeshiva of Rabbi Chaim Men HaHar, following the arrest of a suspect by police. Dozens of residents gathered around the officers. During the incident, a garbage can was set on fire and a police vehicle's tire was punctured. Sources at the scene stated that officers arrived following a complaint about a disturbed individual, unrelated to the yeshiva, who had attacked someone in the neighborhood during the holiday. They claim that when the individual was not found, officers attempted to arrest yeshiva students, including one from within the yeshiva building. Deputy Mayor Dudi Zaltz arrived at the scene and worked to calm the situation and secure the student's release.

The police presented a different account. According to their spokesperson, officers from the Etzion station were dispatched to Kf HaChaim Street following a report of a drunken individual causing a disturbance, assaulting passersby, and disrupting public order. Police stated that while officers were investigating, another individual arrived, also allegedly drunk, who began to interfere with the officers and pushed them, leading to his arrest. The police reported that following the arrest, dozens of residents gathered to prevent officers from carrying out their duties. The police statement also claimed that a false report was circulated at the scene alleging the arrest was of a draft dodger. Additional forces were called to the scene and are working to restore order, according to police.