Israeli Police Detain Haredi Man in Ashdod by Mistake, Use Violence Before Realizing Error

An unusual incident occurred on the morning of July 12, 2026, in Ashdod when police violently detained a Haredi man mistakenly identified as a suspect. The man, a Hasidic yeshiva student, saw police officers on the street and, fearing arrest for being a draft dodger, attempted to flee. Officers then forcibly subdued and handcuffed him, only to later discover they had the wrong person. The police were actually searching for a different suspect related to a child support case.

Video footage obtained by N12 shows one officer forcefully pinning the man to the ground as he protests, "Let me go immediately, you have no right to touch me." Relatives of the detainee said the officers left without apologizing after realizing the mistake. The incident sparked outrage among local residents, with some expressing fears about safety and discrimination against the Haredi community.

Yahadut HaTorah chairman Yitzhak Goldknopf condemned the event, stating it should alarm all law enforcement officials. He criticized the brutality and called for an immediate, thorough investigation by the National Security Minister and the Israel Police, demanding accountability and measures to prevent recurrence.

The Israel Police responded that the man was identified during an operation, fled, and refused to identify himself. Upon recognizing the error, he was released on the spot. The case is under review by authorized bodies, and the police expressed regret for the distress caused, emphasizing their commitment to respecting citizens' rights.