False report on draft evader sparks ultra-Orthodox mobilization near Ashdod

Late at night, yeshiva students and local residents were alerted to the entrance to Ashdod, near the BIG shopping complex, through the "Black Alert" system, which is used to circulate reports of arrests of yeshiva students. Within a short time, dozens of protesters gathered there, and clashes and public disorder broke out after a local young man was detained on suspicion of draft evasion.

According to a report on the "Haredim Ashdod" website, however, the detained youth was not a yeshiva student at all. He was described as a secular young man traveling with friends who was stopped for inspection at a police checkpoint set up at the city entrance as part of routine enforcement activity.

During the check, police found that the young man is defined as a draft evader from military service, and he was issued a summons for further handling by the Military Police. The report also said a young woman was traveling in the car, and that none of the people present appeared to be ultra-Orthodox.

The incident appears to have been triggered by an external false report sent to the "Black Alert" system, claiming police had arrested yeshiva students. That message prompted a mass call-up and rapid protest mobilization, even though the event had nothing to do with a yeshiva student.