Deri Under Fire After Ultra-Orthodox Riots Prevent Draft Evasion Arrest

A severe controversy has erupted over the conscription of ultra-Orthodox men in Israel, following riots in Modi'in and remarks by Shas Chairman Arie Deri. Deri had expressed concern over the "uncertainty and anxiety" faced by families regarding the potential arrest of yeshiva students who have not enlisted.

Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox protesters gathered in Modi'in on Tuesday night, surrounding a building where military police had arrived to arrest a draft evader. Clashes ensued, and security forces were forced to leave the scene after the arrest was thwarted. The draft evader, identified as Yair Lieberman, recounted hearing the police arrive and managed to call for assistance, stating that the support he received gave him strength.

Politicians from across the spectrum have condemned the events and Deri's statements. MK Hili Tropper criticized Deri, suggesting he was out of touch with reality and more concerned with draft evaders than with families worried about soldiers fighting in the ongoing war. Tropper vowed that in a future government he would be part of, individuals who do not serve would not receive state funding.

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and National Unity Party Chairman Gadi Eisenkot also denounced the riots and Deri's comments. Eisenkot linked the events to a broader debate on national service, framing the upcoming election as a choice between Netanyahu's "government of evasion" and a government committed to regulating enlistment. Bennett called the Modi'in incident an "ambush" by extremists and stated that his government would ensure that such "state within a state" behavior, under the government's auspices, would cease, and that non-servers would not receive funding.

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid and Democrats Chairman Yair Golan also condemned the riots. Golan asserted that the Netanyahu government poses a tangible threat to Israel's security, arguing that the Modi'in events exemplify the link between draft evasion and the erosion of the rule of law. He pledged to stop funding draft evasion and enforce universal conscription after the elections.