Chaotic and violent scenes erupted in the Israeli city of Bnei Brak, located east of Tel Aviv, as a large mob of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men chased two female soldiers from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) through the streets. The incident, which occurred on Sunday afternoon, stemmed from deep-seated anger over military conscription orders, leading to a full-scale riot that required police intervention with stun grenades to restore order.
Police Arrests and Subsequent Releases
Israeli police swiftly responded to the unrest, arresting 28 individuals during the tumultuous events. However, in a surprising turn, all 28 Haredi men and teenagers detained have since been released. According to Shlomo Hadad, a lawyer representing the suspects, the releases occurred because there was "no evidence for anything," with Hadad claiming the arrests were merely a "show for the media."
Violence and Damage During the Riot
The rioters inflicted significant damage and injuries amid the chaos. Reports confirm that five police officers were injured during the confrontation. Additionally, the mob overturned an Israeli police patrol car and set fire to a police motorcycle, escalating the violence. Footage from the scene captured the two female soldiers being urgently escorted away by police while a huge crowd of men pursued them, shouting aggressively and kicking wheelie bins along the street.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigations
Despite the mass releases, two of the suspects have been ordered to five days of house arrest. The Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court cited "reasonable suspicion" that they assaulted a police officer, as reported by Israeli outlet Ynet. Meanwhile, police are continuing their search for the rioters responsible for overturning the patrol car and setting the motorcycle ablaze. Tel Aviv District police commander Haim Sargaroff emphasized this ongoing investigation in statements to reporters on Sunday.
Political and Religious Context
The riots are deeply intertwined with the contentious issue of conscription for ultra-Orthodox Jews. A 2024 order by Israel's Supreme Court ended a long-standing exemption for Haredi Jews from military service, prompting the IDF to begin drafting ultra-Orthodox men. Non-compliance can result in imprisonment, as seen with dozens of conscientious objectors related to Israel's war in Gaza.
Denials and Rhetoric
Rabbi Dov Lando, the spiritual leader of the Degel HaTorah party, was forced to deny that his rhetoric incited violence against Israel's military forces. Lando had ordered students at ultra-orthodox schools to ignore conscription orders on religious grounds, typically received at age 18. A spokesman for Lando questioned the accusations, stating, "What is this nonsense? Where did he use rhetoric that even hinted that one should go to demonstrations or use force or do something similar to that?"
Political Reactions
Israel's opposition leader, Yair Lapid, addressed the violence in the Knesset on Monday, condemning the government's handling of such incidents. Lapid asserted, "What we saw yesterday in Bnei Brak is not an isolated phenomenon. It happens time and time again under this government. You are permitting [the shedding of] the blood of the IDF. You are against the IDF." He further referenced recent attacks by Israeli settlers against IDF troops in the West Bank, highlighting a broader pattern of violence.
The events in Bnei Brak underscore the ongoing tensions between state mandates and religious communities in Israel, with conscription remaining a flashpoint for conflict and public disorder.
