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Shin Bet investigates haredi protests amid concerns over threats to government sites - report

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Israel's Shin Bet security agency is investigating ultra-Orthodox protests against mandatory military conscription.
  • The investigation follows disruptive incidents, including a riot outside a Supreme Court justice's home, raising concerns about threats to government sites.
  • Officials have condemned the protests, with one describing the incident outside the justice's home as a "pogrom" and the Prime Minister vowing to apply the full force of the law.

Israel's Shin Bet security agency has launched a broad investigation into recent ultra-Orthodox protests against mandatory military conscription. The probe aims to address concerns that future demonstrations could escalate into threats against government buildings or officials.

This represents crossing a red line and an attack on the entire judicial system and the rule of law in Israel... The judiciary will not hesitate to take all measures at its disposal to ensure the safety and security of its employees.

— Justice Isaac Amit and Justice Tzachi UzielIn a letter to judges following the riot outside Justice Solberg's home, condemning the act.

The investigation was prompted by a series of disruptive incidents, most notably a riot outside the home of Supreme Court Justice Noam Solberg on June 3. This event, along with other disorderly demonstrations, has alarmed both the public and government officials. The President of the Supreme Court, Justice Isaac Amit, and the Director of the Courts, Justice Tzachi Uziel, issued a joint letter to judges, stating that the incident represented "crossing a red line and an attack on the entire judicial system and the rule of law in Israel."

I strongly condemn the violent riot against Justice Noam Sohlberg. Law enforcement must apply the full force of the law against the rioters.

— Benjamin NetanyahuPrime Minister Netanyahu's statement condemning the protest outside the justice's home.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also condemned the riot, vowing that law enforcement would "apply the full force of the law against the rioters." Following the incident, over 60 arrests were made. Senior Israel Police Superintendent Chaim Taieb clarified that the investigation into the riot was not being treated as a typical protest but as a "serious criminal event with real intent to harm."

wasn't a demonstration, it was a pogrom.

— Tomer MoskowitzThe head of the Tzur Hadassah local council and a friend of Justice Sohlberg described the protest outside the justice's house.

Prior to the riot at Justice Solberg's home, eight ultra-Orthodox protesters were arrested on June 1 for breaking into a police station in Beit Shemesh. During that incident, rioters attempted to block traffic and throw stones. The ongoing disruptive and reckless nature of these haredi protests has led to the Shin Bet's comprehensive investigation, which falls within its mandate to protect against threats to the government.

serious criminal event with real intent to harm.

— Chaim TaiebSenior Israel Police Superintendent clarified the nature of the investigation into the riot.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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