Haredi Mob Blocks Military Arrest Attempt in Modi'in

Hundreds of Haredi men gathered in Modi'in on Tuesday night, preventing military police from arresting a yeshiva student declared a draft dodger. The crowd surrounded a building where the military police were located, leading to confrontations when the protesters attempted to block the soldiers from leaving. After several hours of disturbances, the military police departed without making the arrest.

The "Tzeva Lachatz" alert network, associated with the Jerusalem Faction of the Haredi community, reportedly summoned the protesters. Some demonstrators breached the building, clashing with the soldiers. The military police eventually left the scene due to the unrest and concerns for their safety.

The incident sparked political reactions regarding the contentious issue of Haredi conscription and enforcement of military service laws. Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the National Unity Party, linked the events to recent statements against religious Zionist soldiers, stating, "This is the same dangerous worldview that seeks to normalize draft evasion." He vowed to pass a "real conscription law" in the next government.

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett condemned the incident as a potential "disaster," calling the situation where soldiers and police were ambushed and forced to negotiate their exit "unacceptable." He asserted that under his government, those who do not serve would not receive state funding.

Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, criticized the situation, comparing it to a scene in Jenin rather than Modi'in, and launched the slogan "100% for those who serve, 0% for draft dodgers." Yoaz Hendel, chairman of the Reservists and Economy Party, questioned the lack of response to the loss of governance in the Haredi sector, asking, "Why is the loss of governance in the Haredi sector being ignored?"

Motty Leitner, chairman of the Haredi Public Party, also denounced the violence from within the Haredi community, calling the perpetrators "violent thugs" and stating their place is "behind bars." He urged Haredi leaders, including Der'i, Acher, and Goldknopf, to condemn the violence, emphasizing that the Haredi community itself is harmed by such actions.