Ultra-Orthodox MK Slams Security Forces After Failed Draft Dodger Arrest

Unusual confrontations in Modi'in, which began with an attempt by military police to arrest a draft dodger and ended without an arrest, have drawn political reactions. MK Yitzhak Goldknopf, chairman of the Agudat Yisrael party, commented on the events, but instead of criticizing the ultra-Orthodox protesters who clashed with soldiers, he directed his criticism at the security forces. "The sights last night were shocking and infuriating," Goldknopf stated. "Police forces breaking into a private home in the dead of night to hunt down a yeshiva student whose only sin is studying Torah is a mark of disgrace for a Jewish state. The persecution of Torah scholars has reached its peak, and the responsibility for this lies with the Prime Minister. We will not be quiet, and we will not give up. We will fight for our right to live a Jewish way of life in the State of Israel."

The events occurred after military police arrived in Modi'in to arrest a draft dodger from the IDF. Within a short time, dozens of ultra-Orthodox protesters gathered, and later hundreds more joined. Some protesters broke into the building where the military police soldiers and the draft dodger were located, leading to clashes with the forces. According to reports from the scene, pepper spray was used against the soldiers during the confrontations. The crowd surrounding the building trapped the military police soldiers inside for an extended period, prompting a large deployment of Israel Police to restore order and safely extract them.

After hours of protests and clashes, the arrest attempt concluded without the draft dodger being apprehended. He was released and left the scene surrounded by protesters. Simultaneously, the military police soldiers were extracted from the building under police escort. Those at the scene announced that the incident was over and urged the protesters to disperse. The IDF spokesperson stated: "During an enforcement operation by the IDF to enforce the Security Service Law, a large number of rioters gathered at the scene, acting in an organized manner to disrupt the military police's activity, interfere with the arrest, and endanger the soldiers' safety. The Israel Police arrived at the scene and acted to restore order and disperse the gatherings."