Haredi Protest Resumes Over Arrest of Draft-Dodging Youth in Central Israel

The Haredi faction known as the "Heretzpanim" has announced it will resume protests following the arrest of a young Haredi man who was taken to Lahav 433 and subsequently transferred to military police custody. The protests, which had paused for several weeks, are set to restart today (Wednesday) with planned roadblocks between 4:00 and 5:00 PM, raising concerns about traffic disruptions in central Israel.

The arrested youth was reportedly summoned on Monday to Lahav 433 for questioning. According to the Heretzpanim faction and Shas MK Moshe Abutbul, the young man came voluntarily to assist with an investigation and was unexpectedly detained after his testimony. Abutbul claimed the youth was a yeshiva student who had been a victim in a fraud case and warned that such police conduct could deter Haredi citizens from cooperating with law enforcement, potentially endangering lives.

However, police sources provided a different account, stating the youth was summoned for questioning under caution on suspicion of involvement in a criminal case concerning forged driver’s licenses. The police said the youth was aware he was coming for a formal interrogation. During the investigation, it was discovered he was classified as a draft dodger, prompting a report to the military police who then took him into custody. Police emphasized that if the individual had been a victim providing testimony, he would not have been handed over to the military police, in line with directives from the police commissioner.

In an official statement, the police condemned what they called misleading reports and clarified that the suspect was summoned for serious criminal offenses. They stressed that all other narratives are false and intended to promote a biased and deceptive agenda. The renewed protests reflect ongoing tensions within the Haredi community regarding military conscription and law enforcement actions against draft evaders.