Haredi MK Accuses Authorities of Election Interference Over Draft Evasion Arrests
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Asher called on the Election Committee chairman to halt the arrests, claiming they are politically motivated and aimed at intimidating the Haredi public. MK Meir Porush also criticized the detentions, deeming them a violation of the Law of Return. The students, returning from studies in the U.S., face disciplinary action unless they agree to enlist.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- MK Yaakov Asher claims arrests of yeshiva students are election interference attempts.
- Asher urged the Election Committee chairman to stop the "proactive arrests" during the sensitive election period.
- MK Meir Porush called the detentions a violation of the Law of Return.
- The detained students face disciplinary action unless they agree to enlist.
- Families were unable to reunite with the students upon their arrival.
The students, in their early twenties, were detained due to their refusal to enlist in the IDF. Asher asserted that these arrests are a deliberate attempt to disrupt the upcoming elections by creating fear and deterring the Haredi public from participating in the democratic process. He called upon the Chairman of the Election Committee, Judge Solberg, to instruct the police to cease these "proactive arrests" that he claims do not contribute to army recruitment.
"For some time now, I have been warning of attempts to disrupt the election process," Asher stated, adding that the arrests are "unnecessary" and aimed at instilling fear within the Haredi community. He expressed shock at the detention of the Chabad students returning from studies in Brooklyn, New York, describing it as part of a "planned campaign" to incite chaos and protests, which he believes could serve certain political interests.
MK Meir Porush, chairman of 'Shlomei Emunim', also reacted to the arrests, calling the detention of the Chabad students a violation of the Law of Return and a reflection of the "ugly face" of the judiciary and penal system, all because of Torah study. Porush stated he is in contact with IDF and Ministry of Defense officials to assist the detained students.
The students, who had been studying at the central Chabad yeshiva in Brooklyn, were apprehended after passport control upon their arrival. They are expected to face a disciplinary hearing, with the possibility of release if they agree to enlist soon. Reports indicate the students anticipated potential arrest, having been unable to finalize their status with the IDF, and their collective arrival was intended to prevent detentions, an effort that ultimately failed. Families who had waited to greet the students were left disappointed.
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