Ultra-Orthodox Protesters Clash with Military Police in Modi’in Over Deserter Arrest

Ofer Winter, chairman of the People of Israel, publicly criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the recent demonstration by ultra-Orthodox activists in Modi’in. The protest occurred late at night, during which ultra-Orthodox individuals opposed the arrest of a deserter and confronted military police. Winter condemned the incident, expressing outrage at the lack of condemnation from coalition members, including Smotrich, the police minister, and Netanyahu himself.

Winter accused the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and a figure named Goldknoff of being responsible for the situation, calling them an “unspeakable disgrace.” He urged accountability, stating, “Shame on you and shame on all those who are silent. Silence of the sheep.” The incident, which Winter described as a “loss of control,” highlighted a perceived failure in leadership and security coordination.

Over the course of the night, more than 1,500 ultra-Orthodox individuals gathered at the building in Modi’in. Military police had arrived to arrest a youth who had refused to enlist and was classified as a deserter. Protesters blocked the officers’ exit, leading to a chaotic scene where hundreds of activists gathered around the building. The situation escalated as protesters broke into the building, entered the residence, and surrounded the young man, preventing the arrest.

The protest was coordinated through a “black color” focal point of the Jerusalem faction, an emergency formation designed to prevent the arrest of deserters by mobilizing protesters quickly. Records from the scene indicate that dozens of individuals surrounded the young man inside the house and on the street, dancing around him and using their bodies to block the military police from making the arrest. This confrontation underscored tensions between religious groups and state authority in Israel.

The incident raises questions about the balance between individual rights, national security, and the role of religious communities in public affairs. As the Israeli government faces pressure to address such conflicts, the call for accountability and clarity remains a central theme in public discourse. The situation reflects broader challenges in maintaining order while respecting the rights and beliefs of all citizens.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Hebrew)