From the Liveblog of
Thursday, December 18, 2025
‘Act of terror’: Opposition politicians blame Netanyahu for Haredi violence against cops
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleSam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
This afternoon’s ultra-Orthodox riot in Jerusalem, in which 10 police officers were injured, is “an act of terrorism in every sense,” declares Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman.
The riots are apparently linked to an attempt to arrest Haredi draft dodgers, who were identified after being served parking tickets.
“This is what happens when the country’s leadership is in the pocket of Haredi wheeler-dealers,” Liberman posts on X, adding that “patience has run out and the excuses are over, the people demand enlistment for everyone!”
10 שוטרים נפצעו וניידת הושחתה בעקבות מעצר עריקים בירושלים.
המשתמטים מבינים שהחוק בישראל לא חל עליהם, שלהם מותר הכל – וככה זה נראה.
הגיבוי להשתמטות, ולאלימות נגד כוחות הביטחון מגיע מלמעלה. ראש הממשלה ושר הביטחון אשמים במראות המזעזעים האלה.הגיע העת לגייס את כולם ולהחזיר את החוק… pic.twitter.com/3B0D9NniLK
— Yair Golan – יאיר גולן (@YairGolan1) December 18, 2025
The Democrats chairman Yair Golan likewise condemns the violence, saying that “the draft dodgers understand that the law in Israel does not apply to them, that everything is permitted to them and this is how it looks.”
“The backing for [draft] evasion, and for violence against security forces, comes from above. The prime minister and defense minister are responsible for these shocking scenes. It is time to draft everyone and restore law and order in Israel, for the sake of Israel’s security,” he posts.
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