Ultra-Orthodox Protest Arrest of Yeshiva Student Declared Deserter

Dozens of Haredi protesters gathered outside a police station in Kfar Saba on Wednesday to demonstrate against the arrest of yeshiva student Elchanan Damti. Damti, a student at the 'Torah B'Tif'ereth' yeshiva in Elad, was handed over to military police after it was discovered he is considered a deserter from the IDF. Protesters attempted to prevent his transfer, but he was moved to military police custody despite their efforts. A protest was also underway on Highway 4 near Ra'anana at the time of reporting.

The incident began Tuesday when Damti was involved in a suspected accident and asked to report to the Kfar Saba police station. During the processing of his case, his status as a military deserter was revealed, leading to the decision to transfer him to military police. Upon learning of the arrest and planned transfer around 1 p.m., an alert was activated, and dozens of protesters quickly arrived at the station. However, their rapid mobilization was unsuccessful in preventing the transfer.

Attorneys from the 'Notnim Gav' organization are now working to secure Damti's release. He was sentenced to 10 days of detention, and the organization is providing support to him and his family. This arrest follows a series of recent detentions of yeshiva students, which have sparked protests and clashes with police. Earlier this week, protesters blocked Highway 4 near the Yavne interchange protesting the arrest of two yeshiva students sentenced to 20 days in military prison. Additionally, a controversy arose recently over the detention of yeshiva students returning from New York who were found to need to regularize their status with the IDF.