MK Moshe Abutbul Demands Explanation from Itamar Ben-Gvir Over Yeshiva Student Arrest

MK Moshe Abutbul of the Shas party sent a sharp letter on Tuesday to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir following the arrest of yeshiva student Moshe Steiner by the military police. Steiner, a resident of Bnei Brak studying in Beit Meir, had come to the Lahav 433 unit to provide testimony in a fraud case in which he was a victim. After completing his questioning and being told he was free to leave, Steiner was unexpectedly detained by military police officers waiting for him in the parking lot due to his status as a draft evader.

Abutbul condemned the arrest as a "crossing of a red line" and a serious breach of the police chief’s commitment to the ultra-Orthodox community. He warned that such actions could damage trust between the police and the Haredi public, potentially discouraging ultra-Orthodox citizens from reporting crimes or cooperating with law enforcement. Abutbul suggested the incident might stem from confusion among officers despite previous clear instructions from the police chief.

In his letter, Abutbul demanded that Ben-Gvir immediately issue a clear directive to all police stations to allow Haredi yeshiva students to file complaints without fear of arrest. Copies of the letter were also sent to Police Commissioner Major General Dany Levi and Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin. Abutbul cautioned that if this conduct continues, it could lead to serious consequences, including risking lives due to underreporting of crimes by the Haredi community.