Ultra-Orthodox Mob Blocks Soldier's Arrest Attempt in Modiin

Over 100 ultra-Orthodox individuals rioted in Modiin overnight between Monday and Tuesday after military police attempted to arrest a draft dodger. During the disturbance, dozens of extremists broke into a building where the dodger was located and clashed with police forces. Ultimately, the police left without making an arrest.

The extremists were reportedly alerted to the building in Modiin by the "Tzeva Shahor" (Black Color) hotline, operated by the Jerusalem Faction, which assists draft evaders. Police stated after the rioters arrived that "large police forces are operating in the area to extract the soldiers and restore public order." Following the incident, "Tzeva Shahor" boasted that "after the support of the masses and thanks to the holy public, the police left the yeshiva student's home. Wild dancing in the area."

The Jerusalem Faction established the "Tzeva Shahor" hotline last year at the start of the IDF's enforcement operations against individuals obligated to enlist who had not reported for service. The hotline's stated purpose is to aid draft dodgers and prevent their arrest. Activists from this extremist ultra-Orthodox group distribute the hotline's phone number in ultra-Orthodox communities, explaining that they prevent arrests by mobilizing demonstrators when authorities attempt to apprehend evaders, causing the military to withdraw.