Ultra-Orthodox man, boys detained for burning Israeli flag
Adult arrested, two minors questioned over Lag B’Omer incident that also saw IDF soldier burned in effigy
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Police on Wednesday picked up an ultra-Orthodox man and two minors for burning an Israel flag in a Lag B’Omer bonfire Saturday night in Jerusalem.
The man, 21, was arrested, while the two minors, aged 15 and 11, were detained and questioned over the incident, according to police spokeswoman Luba Samri. She said the investigation was ongoing and indicated there could be further arrests.
The two minors were taken for questioning along with their parents, and were then referred to child services.
The incident took place in the predominantly ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim, at the same bonfire where an effigy of an IDF soldier was set ablaze. The fire was part of celebrations for Lag B’Omer, a festival marking the traditional date of the death of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai, a second-century CE sage.
A video of the display broadcast in Hebrew-language media showed a man holding a life-sized puppet-like doll of a soldier over a bonfire with a long stick.
The doll was dressed in an army shirt emblazoned with the name of the Sayaret Matkal elite commando unit on the back. A beard had been drawn on the face of the model in an apparent attempt to make it look like an ultra-Orthodox soldier.
The crowd, including a number of children, cheered as the effigy caught alight.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the incident, calling it a “despicable act.” He said it was an attempt by an “extremist faction” to harm ultra-Orthodox soldiers.
In July, the Knesset approved harsher penalties for desecrating the Israeli flag under the Flag, Emblem and National Anthem Law.
The new legislation allows for imprisonment for up to three years, or a fine of up to NIS 50,000 ($13,800). Those convicted of the crime could also have a slew of rights revoked, including access to national health care and unemployment benefits and even higher education scholarships.
The burning of the effigy came among a string of incidents attacks by extremist ultra-Orthodox Jews against members of the community who join the Israeli military. They have also held dozens of demonstrations to protest the arrest of religious Jews who, despite being exempted from IDF service, refuse to show up at induction centers to receive their exemption.
The Times of Israel Community.