Israeli Military Police Foiled in Attempts to Arrest Yeshiva Students

The Israeli Military Police conducted overnight arrest attempts on yeshiva students in Dimona and Bat Yam, but failed to apprehend anyone. In Dimona, forces arrived at a residence on Netiv Ha'Loh street around 1 a.m. seeking to arrest a student, but were unsuccessful. Later, they attempted to arrest two brothers, yeshiva students from the Sephardic community, at another address on Molada street. Dozens of Gur Hasidim were mobilized via the 'Tzeva Shahor' alert system, preventing the arrest. Following the police departure, celebrations with dancing took place.

In Bat Yam, around 4:30 a.m., Military Police attempted to arrest a yeshiva student from Rabbi Binyahu Shmueli's 'HaMeysher' yeshiva. This was reportedly the third arrest attempt for this individual. Again, dozens of protesters alerted by 'Tzeva Shahor' arrived, leading to confrontations with the forces. After about an hour, the Military Police left without making an arrest. The protesters celebrated with dancing after their departure.

These incidents follow a series of recent arrest attempts on yeshiva students. On Wednesday, Eliyahu Deda, a student from the Orhot Meir Yeshiva in Jerusalem, was arrested by Military Police at his home in Be'er Sheva. He was transferred to a detention camp and subsequently to Prison 10, where he was sentenced to 20 days in military prison. Similarly, Yakir Ralbag, a student from the Hebron Knesset Yisrael Yeshiva, arrested in Eilat on Tuesday, was also sentenced to 20 days in military prison.

Lawyers from aid organizations are working to shorten the detention periods for both students. In response to the wave of arrests, Rabbi Azriel Auerbach, leader of the Jerusalem Faction, called for protests on Thursday at 4 p.m. in Jerusalem and Gush Dan. The Committee for the Salvation of the Torah World announced that the protests were initiated due to the army's arrest of yeshiva students and kollel members for the 'sin of studying Torah and abandoning them to the Haredi establishment.' Students of Rabbi Tzvi Friedman were also instructed to participate in the protests, which are expected to be among the largest in recent times.