Khaberni - Between 10 and 13 Israeli policemen were injured in clashes that erupted today, Thursday, in one of the Haredi neighborhoods in occupied Jerusalem, following a traffic violation issued by a municipal inspector to a Haredi youth, before the situation escalated into arrests on the grounds of evasion from military service.
Hebrew media sources, including the Ynet website, reported that several Haredi youths attempted to assist the recipient of the violation, prompting the inspector to call the police. When police discovered that all the youths were evading military service, they wanted to hand them over to the military police, before hundreds of Haredim arrived at the scene and started rioting, after a warning was circulated that "the captors have arrived," referring to police elements, who have recently been arresting draft evaders.
Substantial police forces were summoned to the site, where the crowd surrounded them. Several protesters overturned a police car, threw stones and garbage at it, and caused damage to other vehicles. Police at the scene used means to disperse the protests, including tear gas and water cannons, to repel them. A police helicopter also hovered in the area. Four Haredim were arrested.
The Haaretz newspaper, quoting eyewitnesses, reported that the riots began when police stopped a Haredi youth in his car for an unknown reason. According to their statements, "the young man began telling passersby he was evading military service and that they were trying to arrest him, asking them to block the police officers, before individuals at the scene contacted extremist centers, who gathered around the police." The Israeli police stated in a press release that they worked in cooperation with border guard fighters and substantial forces to restore public order, "following violent riots involving hundreds of public disorder offenders."
They explained, "Earlier today, following the issuance of a violation by the municipal police unit, police officers were assaulted, leading to more police being summoned to the location. On their arrival, hundreds of public disorder instigators gathered, exerting severe violence including throwing stones and various objects, resulting in damage to several police vehicles and injuring 10 police officers, some of whom were sent for medical treatment." They continued: "In light of these violent events, the police are working, among other things, using various means to disperse public offenders, thwart riot activities and arrest the culprits. To date, four suspects involved in the events have been arrested."
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir condemned the incident, saying that "assault on police officers by lawbreakers is a red line." The General Commissioner of the police, Dani Levi, said: "I view attacking the policemen and inspectors by lawbreakers very seriously." He added that the police "will hold" the involved accountable.
In recent months, multiple confrontations have broken out between police forces and the Haredim; over their refusal to enlist in the army. The Haredim continue their protests against military conscription since the Supreme Court's 2024 decision to oblige them for military service and to withhold financial aid from religious institutions whose students refuse to enlist. The Haredim constitute about 13% of Israel's population, which totals about 10 million people, and they refuse military service, claiming their lives are devoted to studying the Torah, and that integration into the secular society threatens their religious identity.
