Ultra-Orthodox Protesters Detained Near Israeli Police Chief's Home Over New Yeshiva Arrest Policy

On Wednesday evening, ultra-Orthodox protesters attempted to reach the home of Israel Police Chief Major General Danni Levi in Zikhron Yaakov to protest a new police policy regarding yeshiva students. The demonstrators were responding to a recent wave of arrests of yeshiva students, who under the new directive are immediately detained and handed over to military police if classified as draft evaders.

Police set up large forces at all entrances to Zikhron Yaakov, conducting thorough vehicle checks. Three minibuses carrying protesters from Bnei Brak were stopped at the city entrance and ordered to return to the Tel Aviv metropolitan area under police escort. This crackdown reflects heightened tensions following the policy change, which has sparked significant unrest in the ultra-Orthodox community.

The new policy, announced by Police Chief Levi, mandates immediate detention and transfer to military police for any yeshiva student identified as a draft evader. This has led to several recent handovers, including three students overnight from the Kibbutz Givat Ze'ev and Mishkan David yeshivas. The protests and police response highlight the growing conflict over military conscription enforcement in the ultra-Orthodox sector.