Haredi Man Recounts Alleged Violent Arrest at Ben Gurion Airport
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Naftali Dachbash, a Haredi man, described a violent arrest at Ben Gurion Airport and harsh conditions in military prison after being detained for draft evasion. He claims officers used excessive force, tore a Torah scroll from his grasp, and subjected him to discriminatory sentencing and degrading treatment. The IDF denied the allegations, stating the claims are untrue and that security measures in detention are standard.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Naftali Dachbash alleges violent arrest at Ben Gurion Airport while holding a Torah scroll.
- Dachbash claims he was subjected to a chokehold and had the Torah scroll torn from his grasp.
- He alleges discriminatory sentencing for Haredi draft evaders compared to secular individuals.
- Dachbash describes harsh conditions and humiliating treatment in military detention at "Prison 10".
- The IDF denied Dachbash's claims, calling them untrue and baseless.
- Dachbash was sentenced to 20 days in military prison for draft evasion.
Naftali Dachbash, a 28-year-old Haredi man from Modi'in Illit and father of four, has detailed his experience of an alleged violent arrest at Ben Gurion Airport and subsequent harsh conditions in military detention. Dachbash, who was returning from prayers in Uman, Ukraine, was apprehended by plainclothes officers at passport control. He claims he was forcefully detained while holding a Torah scroll and accompanied by his young son. According to his account, he was subjected to a chokehold, struck, and had the Torah scroll forcibly removed and torn from his grasp. He was then handcuffed, hogtied, and left without his hat and glasses.
Dachbash asserts he is not a habitual draft evader, stating he had previously presented medical documents for a leg injury and that military draft notices were sent to an incorrect address. He alleges discriminatory sentencing, with Haredi individuals receiving lengthy jail terms for minor offenses while secular individuals faced lighter punishments or immediate release. Despite his family's sensitive circumstances, including a two-and-a-half-month-old infant and a child with cerebral palsy requiring his care, Dachbash was sentenced to 20 days in military prison.
He further describes his time in "Prison 10" as a "nightmare," detailing humiliating searches and strict regulations. He claims detainees were forbidden from lying down or closing their eyes for approximately 19 hours a day and faced constant pressure to stand at attention. Dachbash also alleges that detainees were pressured to sign documents for early court appearances late at night, preventing them from consulting legal counsel, and that their civilian health insurance was suspended, leaving them reliant on military medical facilities where they risked immediate arrest.
The IDF spokesperson denied Dachbash's claims, stating they do not reflect the circumstances of the case and calling allegations of discriminatory sentencing baseless. The IDF maintained that the separation wing operates with heightened security measures for the safety of detainees and staff, and refuted claims of strip searches, denied sleep, or specific sitting instructions.