Haredi rioters storm Beit Shemesh police station after draft dodger arrest

A police station in Beit Shemesh became the scene of a riot on Monday after dozens of Haredi protesters gathered following the arrest of an alleged draft dodger by military police.

According to reports, several rioters managed to break into the police station compound. The protesters also set fire to nearby vegetation, creating a hazard for residents, though the flames were contained and did not spread to any structures.

Israel Police later dispersed the demonstration using batons and stun grenades. The incident occurred amid ongoing tensions over draft exemptions for Haredi men, with reports indicating the IDF had requested police assistance for anticipated mass arrests.

Previous reports suggested the Israel Police chief had refused such requests in the past. Following a recent High Court of Justice criticism of police enforcement during protests, a prominent Haredi political leader urged party members to cease cooperation with the police, citing concerns over harming Torah scholars.

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Following the change in Israel Police policy, and so that we will not, God forbid, be partners in harming the holy Torah and those who study it, I ask that cooperation with the Israel Police, including municipal policing, be stopped immediately, until further notice.