Hundreds of Haredi Protesters Riot at Maccabim Checkpoint After False Arrest Rumor

Hundreds of Haredi men rioted overnight Wednesday at the Maccabim checkpoint near Modi'in after a message spread in the “Black Screen” system claiming that a draft evader had been arrested there. The unrest began during routine police activity by officers from the Modi'in Illit station, who stopped a vehicle for inspection because it raised suspicion.

A check of the car showed that the driver, a man in his 20s from Modi'in Illit, had been driving a vehicle that had not passed a roadworthiness test for more than a year. Police issued him a traffic ticket, and after the matter was handled he was released.

Despite his release, hundreds arrived at the scene after the false report circulated and began causing disturbances. They blocked traffic for a prolonged period, punctured the tires of one police vehicle, and damaged its wipers. Large police forces from the Judea and Samaria District, including Border Police officers, operated at the site together with IDF forces securing the crossing in an effort to disperse the crowd.

A water cannon was also called in to help break up the gathering, but it was ultimately not used. Once the protesters understood that no draft evader had been arrested, they dispersed. No arrests were made by the end of the incident.