Ultra-Orthodox Protesters Clash Outside Military Prison Over Draft Evasion Arrests

On Monday evening, violent clashes erupted during a protest by Gur Hasidim outside Military Prison 10 in Beit Lid. A police commander at the scene stated, "We have no way to stop them; they are at the last gate." The unrest follows recent demonstrations by ultra-Orthodox groups against the detention of draft evaders. Last Thursday, members of the extremist "Hartzpanik" faction affiliated with the Jerusalem Faction blocked Highway 4 near the Geha and Givat Shmuel interchanges and in Bnei Brak. Subsequently, a protest led by the Sanz Hasidim, including their Rebbe and rabbis, took place outside Prison 10, opposing the arrest of two deserters from their community.

These protests occur amid a Supreme Court freeze on a controversial law passed rapidly by the coalition, which sought to halt the detention of draft-evading yeshiva students until November 30, after the upcoming Knesset elections. Legal sources told Kan News that the law is expected to be annulled and will not take effect before the elections. Additionally, reports indicate that an organization opposing ultra-Orthodox conscription is receiving donations through a charity for the needy.

The situation highlights ongoing tensions between the Israeli government and ultra-Orthodox communities over military conscription policies and enforcement.