Haredi protesters halt draft dodger arrest near Jerusalem, police withdraw

A large group of haredi (ultra-Orthodox) protesters successfully halted the arrest of a draft dodger in Maale Adumim, near Jerusalem, prompting police to leave the scene, according to Israeli public broadcaster KAN News. Dozens of protesters converged on the location after being alerted to the attempted arrest by the extremist Jerusalem Faction (Peleg Yerushalmi).

Footage shared by KAN showed a police officer stating he had come alone without patrol cars. The protesters responded positively to this gesture as the officer departed. The withdrawal of the Military Police led to celebrations among the demonstrators.

The incident highlights escalating tensions surrounding draft dodger arrests. In recent weeks, mass haredi protests have erupted across Israel, with a focal point at Military Prison 10 near Beit Lid, where arrested draft dodgers are held. Thousands of demonstrators have previously blocked major highways, demanding the release of detainees and the cessation of arrests.

Against this backdrop, Defense Minister Israel Katz has proposed a temporary freeze on the arrests of haredi draft evaders. This proposal comes as the Knesset considers legislation to enshrine Torah study in a Basic Law, a move that haredi parties had threatened to boycott coalition votes over. Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs argued that arresting yeshiva students undermines broader enlistment efforts, a sentiment echoed by Katz in his request to advance the freeze proposal.

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I didn't even bring any patrol cars, I came alone.