False Alarm in Arad: 'Black Color' System Activated After Misidentification of Police
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Hundreds of Haredi protesters gathered in Arad on Sunday night after a police force was mistakenly identified as military police attempting to arrest a yeshiva student. The "Black Color" alert system, designed to mobilize the Haredi community in such situations, was activated due to the misidentification. The situation de-escalated after an hour when it was clarified that no arrest was being made and the police force was not military police. This incident follows a recent increase in arrests of yeshiva students.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Hundreds of Haredi protesters gathered in Arad after a police force was misidentified as military police.
- The "Black Color" alert system, which mobilizes the Haredi public, was activated due to the mistaken identity.
- The incident caused a significant disturbance and confrontations for about an hour.
- It was clarified that the police force was not military police and no yeshiva student was being arrested.
- The "Black Color" system stated it acted on well-founded fears of military law enforcement activity.
- The event occurs amid a recent increase in arrests of yeshiva students.
A large-scale incident unfolded in the city of Arad on Sunday night when a police force conducting routine activity was mistakenly identified by local residents as military police intending to arrest a yeshiva student classified as a deserter. This misidentification triggered the "Black Color" alert system, which mobilizes the Haredi public in cases of suspected arrest of yeshiva students.
Within a short time, hundreds of protesters and residents converged on the scene, leading to disturbances and confrontations around the police force. After a prolonged period of high tension, it was clarified that the force was not military police and no attempt was being made to arrest a yeshiva student. The situation then de-escalated, and the crowd dispersed.
Following the events, the "Black Color" system issued a clarification statement, asserting its responsible and thorough approach to verifying reports and calls to protect yeshiva students. The statement explained that "several indications and parameters were received that raised a well-founded fear of activity by military law enforcement authorities." The alert was activated according to their duty to act quickly for the public's benefit. Upon the public's arrival and clarification of the full details, it was fortunately determined that the incident was unrelated to the military police.
The incident in Arad occurs amidst a recent wave of arrests of yeshiva students. Last week, two students from the "Or Hachaim" yeshiva in Rishon Lezion were arrested and transferred to military police, and two other yeshiva students were reportedly arrested in the Eilat area.