Haredi protesters block Jerusalem road over false reports of draft dodger arrest

Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protesters blocked a road in Jerusalem's Ramat Shlomo neighborhood on Tuesday, reacting to reports of a draft dodger's arrest. However, the report proved false; police activity was related to a traffic offense, not an enlistment refusal.

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We will not tolerate any harm to the symbols of government and to the valuable police officers who work to protect the law and the public.

During the ensuing riot, fires were started, and a police station was broken into, leading to the arrest of eight participants. Jerusalem District Police Commander Avshalom Peled stated, "We will not tolerate any harm to the symbols of government and to the valuable police officers who work to protect the law and the public."

Authorities also raided the homes of suspects connected to earlier haredi riots in Beit Shemesh on June 1. Peled condemned the incident at the Beit Shemesh station, calling it a "crossing a red line and a direct attack on the legal institutions of the State of Israel." He vowed that the police's "long arm" would reach those involved in disorder, vandalism, or harming officers.

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The serious incident that occurred at the Beit Shemesh station, in which rioters started a violent riot and broke into the station compound, constitutes crossing a red line and a direct attack on the legal institutions of the State of Israel.

Other rioters attempted to block Route 38 by throwing stones. The protests follow a May 27 report that the IDF had requested police assistance to prepare for the mass arrest of hundreds of haredi draft dodgers. An additional riot occurred at the home of Supreme Court Deputy President Justice Noam Sohlberg, resulting in over 60 arrests.

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We will not tolerate anarchy and will not allow harm to police officers or police facilities. The targeted arrests carried out tonight are just one step in a determined and ongoing enforcement activity, and anyone who took part in disorder, vandalism, or harming police officers should know that the long arm of the police will reach them at the time, place, and way of our choosing.