Four Charged Over Riot Outside Supreme Court Justice Solberg’s Home

Police filed an indictment on Sunday morning against four ultra-Orthodox rioters who protested outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg about two weeks ago. According to police, the investigation into additional suspects is still continuing.

The unrest took place in the settlement of Alon Shvut, where ultra-Orthodox demonstrators opposing the draft of yeshiva students reached Sohlberg’s home, damaged property, broke his car window and smashed the house windows. Police detained about 50 suspects at the time.

Shai District Commander Maj. Gen. Moshe Pinchi said the incident crossed “red lines,” adding that the right to protest and freedom of expression are core values of Israel, but do not justify “violence, vandalism or harm to a person’s home and property, certainly not to a public official.”

The incident drew condemnations from across the political spectrum, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said law enforcement must “bring the full severity of the law to bear on the rioters.” The judiciary also responded, saying the episode was “serious and unacceptable,” beyond the bounds of legitimate protest, and that attempts to pressure, intimidate or deter judges would not affect their work.