Groom Arrested During Wedding Celebrations to Be Released After Protests

Yaari Lieberman, a groom arrested on Sunday and transferred to military prison, was expected to be released on Monday morning. The swift release followed a night of intense protests in Haredi communities. Lieberman was apprehended by military police on Sunday afternoon while boarding a bus with his bride en route to their "Sheva Brachot" celebration. It is believed he was tracked via his mobile phone. His arrest and transfer to military prison, where he was sentenced to 20 days, drew strong condemnation from members of the United Torah Judaism party.

Following the arrest, significant riots and protests erupted in Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh. Demonstrators blocked the light rail in Jerusalem, leading to clashes with police who used stun grenades to disperse the crowd. Reports indicated several injuries at a separate protest in Beit Shemesh.

Behind the scenes, senior officials exerted pressure on the Head of the Manpower Directorate, General Dadi Bar Kalippa, to secure Lieberman's release. These officials explained the circumstances of the unusual arrest, leading to an understanding that the groom should be freed promptly.

As news of the impending release spread, Lieberman's family urged the public to refrain from gathering at the military facility to respect their privacy. Members of Knesset, including Meir Porush and Yitzchak Goldknopf, criticized the arrest, calling it a severe act against Torah scholars and a new low in the pursuit of yeshiva students. The head of a London-based yeshiva, Rabbi M. Hersch, spoke with the bride, offering words of encouragement.