Grandson of Prominent Lithuanian Yeshiva Head Arrested and Transferred to Military Police Amid Protests

Moti Mishkovsky, a student at the Netivot Yitzhak Yeshiva in Tel Aviv and grandson of Rabbi Nathan Zuckowski, head of the Gaon Yaakov Yeshiva and spiritual chairman of the Yated Neeman newspaper, was arrested near the Ben Shemen Forest and handed over to the military police at the Maccabim checkpoint. Mishkovsky previously studied at Beit Matityahu Yeshiva before transferring to Netivot Yitzhak, a yeshiva associated with the Lithuanian mainstream Haredi community. His arrest has drawn significant attention within this community due to his family background and yeshiva affiliation.

Following the arrest near Ben Shemen, dozens of protesters gathered at the Maccabim checkpoint, blocking Highway 433 and clashing with police and soldiers. The demonstration lasted about an hour, causing heavy traffic congestion and leading police to close the road between Shilat Junction and Begin Road. Mishkovsky was expected to appear before a judge the following day, while senior members of the Degel HaTorah party were reportedly working to secure his release.

This arrest comes shortly after the Attorney General instructed authorities to intensify enforcement against draft evasion among Haredim, including expanding personal economic sanctions and resuming proactive arrests. Currently, about 50,000 Haredi individuals are considered draft evaders, with an additional 31,000 holding exemption orders. Over the past year, there have been 860 arrests and 34 indictments related to draft evasion. Approximately 80% of Haredi draft-eligible individuals remain unregistered for service.

Additionally, aid organizations report that over 44 young Haredi men classified as draft evaders are expected to spend the upcoming Sabbath in military detention. Recently, some Breslov Hasidim have also surrendered themselves, partly to regularize their status before traveling to Uman for Rosh Hashanah.