Haredi Yeshiva Student Arrested Amid Protests, 35 Others to Spend Shabbat in Military Prison
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
A yeshiva student was arrested on Highway 3 and transferred to military police, sparking protests. In parallel, 35 Torah scholars refusing IDF enlistment will remain in military prison for Shabbat. Two other students, Alon Smadja and Elchanan Damti, were released after earlier arrests that also triggered protests and clashes with police.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A yeshiva student was arrested on Highway 3 and handed to military police.
- 35 Torah scholars refusing IDF enlistment will spend Shabbat in military prison.
- Protesters blocked Highway 3 and clashed with police following the student's arrest.
- Alon Smadja and Elchanan Damti, previously arrested yeshiva students, were released.
- Previous arrests of students led to protests, road blockades, and clashes with police.
A yeshiva student was arrested on Friday on Highway 3 near Moshav Bak'a and handed over to military police after being stopped by traffic police. The student, who studies at the Rommot Halev Yeshiva in Giv'at Ze'ev and was traveling to his hometown of Netivot, was apprehended en route. He managed to alert the 'The Kidnappers Have Arrived' system before protesters could reach the scene to prevent his transfer to military police. In response to the arrest, demonstrators attempted to block Highway 3, leading to confrontations with police forces.
Concurrently, 35 Torah scholars currently detained in military prison for refusing to enlist in the IDF will spend the upcoming Shabbat in confinement. The public is urged to pray for the detainees' swift release, for their strength in resisting authorities, and for the annulment of the conscription order.
Earlier on Friday, Alon Smadja, a student at the Tiferet Sharga Yeshiva, was released. He had been arrested at his home in Jerusalem's Beit Vagan neighborhood the previous week through a ruse by military police, who informed his family of a delivery. Upon descending to receive it, he was apprehended. Smadja's arrest sparked protests in Bnei Brak, involving clashes with police and road blockades.
Another student released on Friday is Elchanan Damti, from the Torah B'Tifarta Yeshiva in Elad. Damti was arrested after being summoned for questioning in Kfar Saba regarding a traffic incident, where it was discovered he was a draft dodger and subsequently transferred to military police. His arrest had previously led to protests and road closures in Kfar Saba, with demonstrators attempting to prevent his transfer, resulting in violent clashes with police.