Police Blame IDF for Abandoning Troops in Yeshiva Student Arrest Clash
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
An attempted arrest of a yeshiva student in Modi'in by Military Police led to a large protest and a dispute between the police and IDF over who was responsible for the student's eventual release. The incident, which occurred overnight, saw hundreds of protesters gather, forcing the Israel Police to intervene. Both sides blamed each other for the decision-making process. The IDF confirmed ongoing enforcement against draft dodgers, while a senior politician criticized the arrests as political interference amid the sensitive conscription crisis.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Police accused the IDF of abandoning its forces during a chaotic arrest attempt of a yeshiva student in Modi'in.
- Hundreds of protesters gathered at the scene, leading to the student's release and a dispute between police and IDF.
- The IDF confirmed ongoing enforcement operations against draft dodgers and plans for renewed proactive measures.
- Two additional yeshiva students were arrested in Eilat as part of a broader crackdown on draft evasion.
- A senior politician called the renewed arrests blatant political interference amid the sensitive conscription crisis.
An unprecedented confrontation erupted in Modi'in overnight between Israeli police and Military Police after an attempted arrest of a yeshiva student, who is 20 days away from his wedding, escalated into a large-scale public disturbance. According to a sharp police investigation, a small Military Police unit acted against operational procedures by failing to immediately remove the student after his arrest. This delay allowed dozens of protesters to gather, forcing the Israel Police to intervene to extricate the military force and restore order.
Accusations flew between the police and the IDF regarding the decision to release the student and arrange his legal status. The police stated unequivocally that IDF officials, not the police, made the decision to release the student and issue him a status adjustment order. Conversely, the IDF claimed the decision was made by the Israel Police, with the military merely tasked with dispersing the large demonstration.
The incident began when Military Police arrived at the home of a student from Rabbi Reuven Elbaz's 'Ohr HaChaim' yeshiva to arrest him as a draft dodger. The activation of an alert system led to hundreds of protesters, including residents from Modi'in and surrounding cities, converging on the scene. The Military Police eventually left without making an arrest, and the student was released.
The IDF spokesperson confirmed an operation to enforce the Security Service Law against draft dodgers and stated that proactive enforcement would resume in October, coordinated between the Military Police and civilian police stations.
This clash highlights a deep rift in coordination between the security bodies amidst a wider wave of arrests. Two more yeshiva students were arrested in Eilat on Tuesday, including Yakir Ralbag from the 'Hebron Knesset Israel' yeshiva. These arrests occur as a legal opinion revealed that 64 individuals liable for conscription have left the country undetected and were only apprehended upon their return.
A senior official from the United Torah Judaism party criticized the renewed arrests as blatant political interference, stating that no government can be formed without first passing a conscription law to resolve the issue. This controversy comes just three weeks before elections, intensifying public and political criticism over the handling of the sensitive conscription crisis.
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