Violence Erupts as Bnei Brak's Haredim Riot Against the Draft | Crazy Footage
Chaos erupts in Bnei Brak as female soldiers are rescued from a hostile crowd during a failed attempt to distribute IDF draft notices. Authorities are investigating the "tactical error" that turned Hagai Street into a flashpoint for anti-conscription riots.
What began as a routine delivery of IDF conscription notices turned into a "battlefield" in Bnei Brak on Sunday afternoon.
Police arrived in the heart of a Haredi neighborhood to distribute mandatory military induction notices.
Dozens of protesters quickly swarmed the vehicles, chanting slogans and physically blocking the road to prevent the distribution of the orders.
Footage from the scene shows female soldiers being extracted from the center of the riot.
Eye-witnesses described the entry into Hagai Street, home to several prominent Yeshivas, as a "severe tactical error" that instantly ignited a "powder keg" of sectoral tension.
The neighborhood remains at a standstill with heavy traffic disruptions and a massive security presence. While the soldiers were successfully removed, the IDF and Israel Police are reviewing the circumstances of the mission, with preliminary reports suggesting the activity was not coordinated through the Military Police.
Minister Ben Gvir stated:
"I strongly condemn the small, anarchist, and violent minority that attacked female soldiers, injured police officers, and set fire to a police motorcycle in Bnei Brak."
Israel Katz is calling on both Haredi leadership and law enforcement to take immediate action.
Katz stated:
"I call on the leaders of the ultra-Orthodox community to denounce this act, and on the law enforcement authorities to act decisively and bring to justice everyone who took part in this severe attack."
Doron Kadosh noted that the female officers were not harmed physically and were not taken to hospital.
UPDATE:
PM Benjamin Netanyahu stated, "I strongly condemn the violent riots in Bnei Brak against IDF female soldiers and Israel Police officers. This is a radical minority that does not represent the ultra-Orthodox community. We will not allow anarchy or any harm to those serving the state."
In a sharp rebuke, fomrer Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef called the rioters "desecrators of God’s name" (Chilul Hashem). He stated their behavior has no place in the community, adding, "They must be denounced and removed from our camp."
Aryeh Deri said,
"The Shas movement strongly condemns the acts of violence, vandalism, and rioting by a handful of extremists in Bnei Brak. These acts are completely contrary to the way of the Torah; they harm the entire ultra-Orthodox public, cause a desecration of God's name (Chilul Hashem), and inflict heavy damage on the righteous struggle for the world of Torah study.
Get out of our camp!"
Police Commissioner Danny Levy, who had previously remained silent, is reportedly en route to Bnei Brak to conduct a situational assessment as tensions remain high.
Yitzhak Goldknopf (UTJ Chairman) said, "I was shocked by the footage. I strongly condemn the violence against security forces in Bnei Brak. This is contrary to the Torah of Israel, whose ways are ways of pleasantness."
Police Commissioner Danny Levy said, "These are unrestrained riots that have crossed every line. Lawbreakers committed grave acts against symbols of the rule of law, including violence against security forces and the burning of a police motorcycle. We will hold all involved accountable. We are a nation of law and will not allow thuggish behavior."
Benny Gantz (Opposition Leader) pointed out, "The shocking images from Bnei Brak, where female soldiers are rescued from a raging mob as if this were Jenin, are a moral low point. The Haredi leadership must condemn this before a disaster occurs."
The Bnei Brak Municipality spokesperson commented, "These acts are contrary to our principles. The municipality will act with determination and responsibility to maintain order. Violence is not our way."
The female soldiers rescued from a violent mob in Bnei Brak have provided their first official testimonies to the Israel Police, describing a scene of fear as they were forced to hide behind trash cans to escape an gathering crowd of extremists.
The soldiers arrived in the neighborhood to visit a potential recruit (Malshab) ahead of his enlistment. Upon arrival, a local woman warned them: *"Hide, you aren't allowed to be here."*
One of the soldiers intentionally wore a long skirt specifically to respect the religious lifestyle of the Bnei Brak residents. Despite this gesture, they were still targeted and swarmed within minutes. The soldiers testified that they tried to hide behind industrial bins as dozens of extremists surrounded the building they attempted to enter. *"We were afraid they would hurt us,"* one soldier told investigators. *"Luckily, the police arrived."*
The soldiers were released from the police station without requiring medical treatment and are currently en route to brief their commanders. One soldier noted the emotional toll, mentioning her parents called in a panic after identifying her on live television.