Journalist Sparks Outrage After Calling for Violence Against Charedim

A public storm erupted after journalist Chagai Huberman, editor of the religious Zionist publication Matzav Haruach, wrote a series of extreme messages calling for violence against Charedim blocking roads during anti-draft protests.

The comments were reportedly posted in a journalists’ group following demonstrations by members of the Yerushalmi faction, during which roads were blocked as part of protests against the draft.

In one message, Huberman wrote: “Run over every dos, destroy every Charedi.” The wording shocked other members of the group, with one journalist responding in disbelief: “What did you write here?”

Huberman did not retract the statement. Instead, he argued that road blockages are themselves a form of violence and said the public response to those blocking roads over opposition to enlistment should be physical violence.

“The public response toward those blocking roads because of opposition to the draft should be physical violence: break their bones, preferably with clubs,” he wrote.

During the exchange, Huberman sought to distinguish between different protest movements. He said he also opposes the Kaplan protesters who block roads, but described them as “enemies of the government, not enemies of the state.” He added that he could still imagine serving alongside them in a tank or armored personnel carrier “when the day comes.”

By contrast, he described Charedim who oppose army service as enemies of the state.

“Charedim who oppose enlistment in the army across the board are enemies of the state,” he wrote. “I have nothing in common with them. Even our Judaism is not the same Judaism.”

The remarks caused outrage in the Charedi public, where leaders and commentators described the comments as severe incitement and called for an immediate investigation. Police have reportedly opened an initial review of the statements.

Huberman has been involved in previous public controversies over harsh comments. In 2022, then-MK Idit Silman published a message she said he had sent her regarding a vote on Judea and Samaria regulations, describing it as threatening. In 2013, he wrote that he would not shed a tear if major Charedi yeshivas ended up like Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin in Poland, a comment critics viewed as a disturbing reference to destruction during the Holocaust.

He also drew criticism in 2015 after attacking Michal Kastan Keidar, widow of Lt. Col. Dolev Keidar, over her participation in a left-wing rally.

The latest comments have intensified debate over incitement, political hatred and the responsibility of media figures, particularly during a period of growing tension around the draft crisis and Charedi protests.