Haredi Draft Dodger Escapes Arrest After Mob Confronts Military Police

A failed attempt by military police to arrest a Haredi draft dodger in Modi'in on Tuesday night led to riots, with hundreds of protesters from the nearby city of Modi'in Illit converging on the building. The protesters, alerted by "Tzeva Shahor," an emergency hotline for preventing draft dodger arrests established by the extremist "Jerusalem Faction," breached the building and the draft dodger's apartment. Clashes ensued with police forces, who ultimately left without making the arrest. Following the failed operation, the draft dodger emerged and was celebrated by the crowd, with one demonstrator seen handing him sweets. The IDF confirmed that the arrest was called off due to the riots and that the draft dodger would instead receive an order to regulate his status. It was also revealed that the IDF has not been proactively enforcing draft laws recently. A discussion at the Ministry of Justice decided that military police should resume proactive enforcement operations soon, in coordination with the Israel Police, with such activities expected to restart in October. The Military Advocate General's Corps is also to expedite measures to lower the threshold for prosecution for draft evasion and desertion. The IDF stated that the operation was part of routine enforcement against draft dodgers and deserters, but was disrupted by an organized group of rioters who endangered soldiers. The IDF condemned any attempt to interfere with or harm soldiers on duty and vowed to continue enforcement efforts.

Political figures across the spectrum condemned the events. MK Yitzhak Goldknopf of Agudat Yisrael criticized the police raid as a "disgrace" to a Jewish state and blamed the Prime Minister for the "persecution of Torah students." Gadi Eisenkot, Chairman of "Yashar," decried the incident as part of a dangerous worldview seeking to normalize draft evasion and stated that his future government would pass a "real conscription law." Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called the event a "near disaster" and blamed the current government, vowing to replace them and ensure that those who do not serve will not receive state funding. Yair Golan, Chairman of the Democrats, declared the Netanyahu government a "tangible danger to Israel's security," stating that Haredi militias had "subdued the police" and that the government was financing draft evasion. Avigdor Lieberman, Chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, described the scene as "unbearable," comparing the soldiers' retreat to an operation in Jenin, and asserted that Netanyahu's government depends on draft dodgers. Yoaz Hendel, Chairman of "The Reservists - The Economic," questioned the double standard, asking why such events in the Haredi sector are ignored while similar actions in the Arab sector would provoke outrage, and called for a Zionist government not dependent on these factions.