Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews protest arrest of draft-dodger
Dozens demonstrate in Jerusalem, Holon, Gedera calling for release of yeshiva student Yisrael Meir Toledano
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
Dozens of ultra-Orthodox Jews protested in Jerusalem and in other locations around the country on Wednesday against the arrest of a yeshiva student who ignored a draft order.
Nine people were detained as dozens of black-hatted men blocked Bar Ilan Street in Jerusalem rallying against the arrest.
Protesters blocked Ganot Interchange near Holon for a short time before the police managed to reopen the road.
Some 200 protesters closed Highway 40 at the Gedera Interchange, as police advised travelers to use alternative routes.
— אלי שלזינגר Eli Shlezinger (@EliShlezinger) March 15, 2017
Rabbi Shmuel Auerbach, the leader of the Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox community in Jerusalem, called on his followers to take to the streets to demonstrate against the arrest of Yisrael Meir Toledano, a student in the Meirat Shemua Yeshiva, and against the draft, according to the ultra-Orthodox news site Kikar Shabbat.
Toledano was arrested on Sunday night at his home in Ofakim. On Tuesday a military court ruled to extend his remand until Thursday
After an hour and a half of protests, an order was given in the name of Auerbach for protesters to leave the street and return to yeshiva studies.
Police said that “a few dozen ultra-Orthodox extremists were protesting in two locations… nine protesters who rioted, blocked the street and ignored police instructions were arrested.”
כ-100 מפגינים חוסמים את מחלף גדרה (צומת כנות) שבכביש 40. כוחות משטרה החלו בפינויים. מומלץ לנסוע בדרכים חלופיות pic.twitter.com/2hQ5Jor71b
— משטרת ישראל (@IL_police) March 15, 2017
Many in the ultra-Orthodox community shun the mandatory military service that applies to most Israelis, and the community has historically enjoyed blanket exemptions in favor of religious seminary studies. However, a group of ultra-Orthodox, followers of Auerbach refuse to even appear at the recruiting office to request such exemptions.
The Times of Israel Community.