IDF Prevents Arrest of Yeshiva Student in Holon Amid Rising Protests by Haredi Faction

Late Sunday night in Holon, a yeshiva student from Otrot Shlomo was briefly detained near the Sheva Junction at a Paz gas station but was released without being handed over to the military police. The incident triggered the activation of the 'Black Flag' alert system, which warns of attempts to arrest yeshiva students. The student was reportedly on his way to his yeshiva in Rishon Lezion.

This event follows the arrest of another yeshiva student, Israel Gohfi, from the Kfar Hassidim yeshiva in Haifa. Gohfi, who previously studied at a higher learning institution, was detained after a dispute with a transit inspector over a malfunctioning Rav-Kav card. He was subsequently handed over to the military police as a draft evader. Legal aid organizations are providing Gohfi with support and assisting his family.

In response to these arrests, the small Haredi faction led by Rabbi Tzvi Friedman is planning protests today, expected to take place on Highway 4 near Bnei Brak around 5 p.m. Police are preparing for significant traffic disruptions and possible roadblocks on Highway 4 and Jabotinsky Road, which connects Petah Tikva, Bnei Brak, and Ramat Gan.

The recent arrests come after a relatively quiet period of about five weeks without major demonstrations against draft evasion arrests. Additionally, another yeshiva student, Moti Mishkovsky from Netivot Yitzhak yeshiva in Tel Aviv and grandson of Rabbi Nathan Zuckowski, was arrested near Ben Shemen Forest over the weekend.

These developments highlight ongoing tensions between the Israeli military and certain Haredi groups opposing conscription, with protests expected to continue in central Israel.