IDF Admits Difficulty in Handling Haredi Draft Protests After Modiin Incident
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
A senior IDF official admitted the Military Police's struggle to handle large Haredi draft protests after hundreds of demonstrators thwarted an arrest attempt in Modiin. The incident led to a dispute between the IDF and Israel Police over who was responsible for the failed arrest and subsequent release of a yeshiva student. The situation arises from increased pressure to enforce conscription laws against Haredi draft dodgers, with military officials promising renewed proactive enforcement in October. Several other recent incidents show similar interventions by Haredi communities to prevent arrests.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A senior IDF official admitted the Military Police's inability to handle large Haredi draft protests.
- Hundreds of protesters thwarted the Military Police's attempt to arrest a yeshiva student in Modiin.
- The IDF and Israel Police are in a dispute over responsibility for the failed arrest and release.
- The incident highlights ongoing tensions over conscription enforcement for Haredi men.
- Military officials plan to resume proactive enforcement against draft dodgers in October.
- Similar interventions by Haredi communities to prevent arrests have occurred recently.
A senior military official acknowledged on Tuesday the challenges faced by the Military Police in dealing with Haredi draft protests, following a chaotic incident in Modiin the previous night. "We are dealing with massive protest formations, young soldiers in the Military Police have no chance against this event," the official stated, emphasizing the need for significantly more police assistance with larger forces. This comes after an attempt by the Military Police to arrest yeshiva student Yair Lieberman, who was 20 days before his wedding, at his apartment in Modiin. Upon the arrival of Military Police, a 'Black Color' alert system was activated, drawing hundreds of protesters to the scene. The protesters managed to reach the 11th-floor apartment, and the Military Police ultimately left without making an arrest, releasing the student.
Lieberman recounted hearing the doorbell around midnight and being told it was the Military Police. While getting ready, he managed to call 'Black Color,' and within a short time, hundreds of protesters arrived from Modiin, Modiin Illit, Jerusalem, and Beit Shemesh. The incident has sparked a severe dispute between security agencies. The Israel Police released a critical report blaming the Military Police for operating against procedures by not immediately evacuating the detainee after arrest, allowing him prolonged time to prepare. The report states that the Military Police's failure led to dozens of protesters surrounding the area, requiring an emergency response from the Israel Police to rescue the military force and restore order.
The Israel Police asserted that the decision to release the draft dodger and arrange his status was made by IDF officials, not the police. Conversely, the IDF claimed the decision was effectively made by the Israel Police. This clash occurred amid urgent demands from the Attorney General for improved enforcement against Haredi draft dodgers. It was revealed that 64 draft dodgers had left the country undetected and were only apprehended upon their return. A document noted a lack of proactive enforcement, necessitating action from the Military Police and the State Prosecutor's Office. Military officials announced that proactive enforcement would resume in October, coordinated between the Military Police and local police stations.
A senior official from a Haredi party commented that the current situation, with no conscription law and legal efforts pushing for renewed arrests that will inevitably lead to riots and protests, validates the 'Jerusalem Faction's' long-standing claims regarding the draft issue. The Modiin incident is one of several recent thwarted arrest attempts. On Hoshana Rabbah night, hundreds of yeshiva students intervened to prevent the arrest of a student in Tel Aviv, subsequently blocking a road. Additionally, two yeshiva students were arrested in Eilat and handed over to the Military Police, including one who had been absent from service for over 450 days and was married for only three months.
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