'Black flag over democracy': Israeli politicians condemn riot at Beit Shemesh police station

Several Israeli politicians have strongly condemned a riot that occurred Sunday night at the Beit Shemesh police station, following the arrest of an individual suspected of draft evasion. The incident saw several rioters break into the police station compound, resulting in eight arrests and widespread political backlash.

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It is a black flag over Israeli democracy and over Israel as a state in which all are equal before the law.

Former IDF chief of staff and Yashar! Party leader Gadi Eisenkot described the break-in as a "black flag over Israeli democracy and over Israel as a state in which all are equal before the law." He linked the event to previous protests and statements against the justice system, calling for the "arrest and harsh prosecution" of all participants. Eisenkot also assigned responsibility to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of the Likud and Religious Zionist parties.

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It is a continuation of the anarchists' break-in to Sde Teiman, the Justice Minister's statement yesterday against the High Court of Justice's decision on appointing judges, and the inflammatory and rebellious statements by MK [Moshe] Gafni and [Aryeh] Deri, from recent days, against the law enforcement systems.

Democrats Party head Yair Golan characterized the riot as a "practical translation" of the contentious haredi draft law. He criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for prioritizing coalition interests with haredi parties over the safety of police officers. Golan asserted that his party would ensure deserters enlist or face prison and that attackers of police officers would be jailed if elected.

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When Netanyahu and [National Security Minister Itamar] Ben-Gvir turn draft refusal into a coalition anchor, the message to the field is clear: deserters are worth more than police officers.

MK Avigdor Liberman of Yisrael Beytenu echoed these sentiments, condemning the "normalized" riot as an "assault by thugs disguised as observant Jews." He called for an end to draft evasion and stated that in the next government, all rioters would face indictments and imprisonment.

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Ben-Gvir, a minister for whom governance exists only on TikTok, simply turns a blind eye and abandons his officers.