Ultra-Orthodox Block Police Arrest of Draft Dodger in Modiin

Ultra-Orthodox protesters clashed with police in Modiin on October 6, preventing the arrest of a yeshiva student who had refused military conscription. According to Ynet, the military police, who arrived with an arrest warrant, eventually agreed to abandon the operation after negotiations with the Haredi demonstrators. In exchange for the police leaving safely, the protesters promised not to impede their departure. The incident saw a large number of ultra-Orthodox individuals gather at the home of the draft dodger, identified as Yisrael Lieberman, following a call from the "Tzeva Shahor" (Black Flag) center, which assists draft evaders. They surrounded the building and attempted to breach it. Civilian police, called to restore order, ultimately retreated, and the arrest was not made. Lieberman was later celebrated by the crowd as a hero. Lieberman stated in an interview that upon hearing the military police arrive, he immediately contacted "Tzeva Shahor," and the subsequent support from the community gave him strength. The IDF criticized the police for not confronting the protesters, despite the danger to military police officers. The civilian police defended their actions, stating they acted according to prior agreement and questioning if everyone was satisfied. This confrontation has led to a two-month halt in home arrests of draft dodgers, with enforcement shifting to border crossings and Ben Gurion Airport. Avigdor Lieberman, head of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, condemned the riots, calling the protesters' actions unbearable and comparing the situation to an IDF withdrawal from Jenin rather than Modiin. Legal experts noted the dangerous precedent of using riots to negotiate with authorities, potentially making law enforcement dependent on the level of resistance encountered. The "Tzeva Shahor" center confirmed its strategy of mobilizing demonstrators to prevent arrests, a tactic that proved successful in this instance.