Hezkel Drutman, a prominent activist in the HaPeleg camp, was released home on Tuesday night after being arrested last week on suspicion of assaulting a police detective during road-blocking protests on the Geha Highway. The Petah Tikva Magistrate’s Court had extended his detention several times for investigation before ordering his release.
When Drutman returned home, friends and supporters gathered to celebrate his release with trays of fruit. The event came just hours before the launch of a massive vehicle protest expected to disrupt major transportation arteries later in the day, with thousands of cars set to head toward Prison 10 from 19 locations nationwide.
Among those who came was social activist Moshe Cohen, known for his outspoken opposition to the draft decree. Cohen handed Drutman a fruit tray he had collected from several friends as a sign of appreciation for what he called Drutman’s sacrifice in the struggle. Speaking on camera, Cohen said, “We all saw that the police acted last week like Nazis, may their names and memory be erased.”
Cohen continued with a highly confrontational message to yeshiva students and the wider ultra-Orthodox public: “We want to tell all yeshiva students, we will stand by you through fire and water. We are not afraid of Zionism or of flesh and blood, only of the Holy One, blessed be He. We are prepared for them to shoot at us 24 hours a day, and we are not afraid of that at all.” The remarks and footage were rapidly circulated in internal ultra-Orthodox groups and channels as the protest drive intensified.
