Israel Releases 8 Haredi Protesters After Court Finds No Evidence in Beit Shemesh Station Breach
Updated
Updated · The Jerusalem Post · Jun 1
Israel Releases 8 Haredi Protesters After Court Finds No Evidence in Beit Shemesh Station Breach
7 articles · Updated · The Jerusalem Post · Jun 1
Eight Haredi protesters arrested after a Beit Shemesh police-station break-in were released Monday after police told court they had no evidence tying them to violence.
The arrests followed overnight unrest after military police detained an alleged draft dodger; a judge said the incident crossed a line but ruled presence near the station was not enough for detention.
Monday's wider anti-draft protests spread across Highway 4, Highway 1, Jerusalem's Chords Bridge and rail lines near Ben-Gurion Airport, disrupting traffic until roads reopened by 7:45 p.m.
Three police officers were lightly injured during dispersal operations, a soldier was attacked and rescued in Jerusalem, and a 25-year-old protester on Highway 4 was seriously hurt after being struck by a motorcycle.
The demonstrations were aimed at compulsory IDF service for Haredim and at stepped-up police and military enforcement against alleged draft dodgers in recent days and weeks.
As courts order conscription and leaders vow resistance, is Israel fracturing from within over its own identity?
With its army in crisis, can Israel survive a culture war over who is obligated to fight?