Violent protests in Jerusalem and Abu Kabir over arrests of draft evaders

Against the backdrop of police plans to transfer the 19 yeshiva students detained after rioting last week outside the home of Deputy President of the Supreme Court Noam Solberg, ultra-Orthodox extremists from the Jerusalem Faction went out this afternoon (Wednesday) to protest at four sites. In the Jerusalem area, a protest took place at the Russian Compound, as well as in Bnei Brak and Abu Kabir. In the Beit Shemesh and southern area, ultra-Orthodox protesters demonstrated outside Nitzan Prison in Ramla, while in the Sharon region protests were reported at the Hadarim Prison and on Route 4, between Ra'anana and Netanya. After the protests began, the Jerusalem Faction said that "the handover to the army of yeshiva students released from detention earlier today, after being arrested in the Solberg House events, has begun." The statement also said, "In recent minutes, five of the yeshiva students contacted their families from Prison 10. From this stage onward, preparations are being made for the possibility of a significant and dramatic escalation in the protests starting tomorrow." Exactly one week ago, dozens of ultra-Orthodox extremists arrived at the home of the deputy president of the Supreme Court, Justice Noam Solberg, in Alon Shvut in Gush Etzion, and rioted in protest against the arrest of draft evaders and the draft exemption law. Some of them smashed the windows of the house. The judge and his family were at home during the serious incident. Dozens were arrested. Solberg's wife, Meira, commented on the serious incident outside her home: "I have no other country, I am not going anywhere. I am not going anywhere. It cannot be that Jews hurt one another like this. This is destruction, pogrom. What is this, Kristallnacht?" Defense Minister Israel Katz said that he "strongly condemns the attempt to break into the home of the deputy president of the Supreme Court, Justice Noam Solberg. The rioters who carried out this serious act have nothing to do with Torah or the values of the Jewish people. This is a small group of extremist criminals acting with violence and thuggery and harming the values of the world of Torah. In a state governed by law, there is no place for attempts at intimidation, violence or threats against judges. I call on law enforcement authorities to act decisively and bring them to full justice." The courts said: "The judiciary views with great severity the violent demonstration near the home of the deputy president of the Supreme Court. This is a serious and unacceptable incident, beyond the bounds of legitimate protest, in an attempt to harm the sense of security of judicial officeholders and their family members. The judiciary will not hesitate to take all measures at its disposal, in cooperation with law enforcement and security authorities, to ensure the safety and security of judges. Attempts to pressure, frighten or deter judges will not affect the performance of their duties. Israel's judges will continue to carry out their work professionally, independently and without fear, in accordance with the law and their duty to the public." Two days earlier, during the riots at Solberg's house, dozens of ultra-Orthodox extremists broke into the Beit Shemesh police station after messages were spread claiming that an ultra-Orthodox draft evader was being held there. The rioters set bushes in the area on fire, threw stones and later tried to block Route 38. Police forces from the Jerusalem District and Border Police fighters who arrived at the scene used batons and stun grenades to disperse the incident, pushing the rioters out of the station compound. At the beginning of last month, dozens of ultra-Orthodox extremists gathered in Ashkelon outside the home of the commander of the Military Police, Brig. Gen. Yuval Yamin, two and a half weeks after ultra-Orthodox protesters tried to break into his home. Footage showed police trying to chase the protesters, who slipped away from them and tried to break into Yamin's home. Police dispersed the protesters and the demonstration ended "without unusual incidents." The IDF then strongly condemned "the attempt to harm members of the security forces and their families," and said it would "continue to support Brig. Gen. Yamin, who is carrying out his duties faithfully." It was further stated: "The Military Police Corps will continue to carry out its missions and act according to the law."