Orthodox Protesters Clash With Police Over Draft Dodger Arrest

Dozens of ultra-Orthodox protesters clashed with police in Kfar Saba on Wednesday, October 21, after gathering to protest the arrest of a draft dodger. The demonstration began as a spontaneous rally outside the police station, blocking traffic for over three hours before escalating into confrontations and arrests. Police sources stated the draft dodger was apprehended on October 20 while driving a car with no license plates. He was instructed by volunteer police officers at the scene to report to the station the following day. Upon arrival, he was identified as a draft dodger and handed over to military police. The radical "Jerusalem Wing" movement, through its "Tzeva Shahor" alert system, mobilized dozens of protesters to the scene after learning of the arrest. A voice message was sent to registered members, leading to the gathering and subsequent protest. The events unfolded as the Tel Aviv District Court sharply criticized the state's handling of the ultra-Orthodox draft issue. Judge Limor Bibi noted that the IDF had repeatedly missed deadlines for submitting responses to court petitions, stating, "Court decisions are not a recommendation." IDF representatives struggled to provide basic answers regarding actions taken, including the number of draft dodgers apprehended, their sentences, and any differential legal treatment for the ultra-Orthodox compared to other sectors. This situation follows previous court sessions in June 2026 where it was claimed the IDF lacked detailed data on draft evasion among the ultra-Orthodox and other groups, relying instead on general figures and outdated information.