Talk About Really Bad Timing

WATCH: Anti-draft protestors clash with police at IDF recruitment center

A group of extremist Haredim protesting the draft gathered in what the Israel Police called an "illegal protest" in front of the Tel Hashomer recruitment center.

Avi Woolf

JAN 15, 2025 15:26

2 min read

WATCH: Anti-draft protestors clash with police at IDF recruitment center

The Israel Police operated since the morning hours today (Wednesday) in reinforced strength in the face of an "illegal protest" outside the IDF base and recruitment center at Tel Hashomer by extremist Haredim.

The Police said that the protestors who arrived at the site clashed violently with the officers, throwing objects and trying to break down barriers. Some of them even hurled insults at the police officers such as "Nazis" and "terrorists."

Prior to the use of protest dispersal means, police officers declared the protest illegal. Despite the warnings, protestors ignored the orders of the police and continued to resist authorities violently, including the throwing of bottles and rocks, attempts to harm house-mounted officers, and damage attempted to infrastructure.

The police was thus forced to use horse-mounted officers and other forceful means to disperse the protest and open up all lanes of traffic.

Watch:

Anti-draft protestors clashing with police. (Source: Israel Police Spokesperson)

Earlier this week, Defense Minister Israel Katz presented the principles of his proposed draft law to balance the needs of the army with the needs of the Torah world maintained by the Haredi community.

Katz said that his goal was to recruit 50% of every Haredi cohort within 7 years. The draft target for this year would be 4,800 soldiers drafted, followed by 5,700 the next year, and another increase the next.

Katz noted that he planned to introduce both institutional and personal sanctions in the bill against anyone avoiding the draft without official authorization.

However, he also warned - with the support of the view of IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi - that any attempt to draft Haredim without the support of the community and especially its spiritual leadership, no matter what the law says.

He noted that despite thousands of draft notices being sent out since the Supreme Court's order that every Haredi be eligible for the draft, the number of Haredim joining the army had actually significantly declined, and this would be the case unless an agreement was reached.