The usually quiet Chagai Street in Bnei Brak turned into a mob scene on Sunday after two female military police officers arrived in the area and rumors spread that they were distributing draft orders.

An angry crowd of over a thousand people quickly grew as the two soldiers were surrounded and chased from the area. Police arrived and rescued them as the crowd grew.

A police vehicle was overturned on HaRav Shach Street, and a police motorbike was set on fire. The police later discovered a burned siddur and tefillin in the storage compartment of the motorbike, which belonged to a frum officer.

The IDF later clarified that the soldiers were not connected to the military police and were visiting a soldier at his home as part of their role in the Education and Youth Corps.

Police say that over 12 protesters involved in the confrontation and rioting have been arrested. “The police view the events in Bnei Brak with great severity. We are acting firmly against those who disturb the peace, utilizing appropriate measures and carrying out arrests.”

One of those arrested was a Chareidi woman.

Former Chief Rabbi HaRav Yosef Yitzchak responded by saying, “One must strongly condemn the handful of rioters who make a Chillul Hashem. The Torah teaches that its ways are ways of pleasantness and all its paths are peace דרכי נועם וכל נתיבותיה שלום. There is no place for their behavior among us. They must be denounced and expelled from the camp.”

UTJ chairman Yitzchak Goldknopf said that he was “shocked by the footage and condemns the violence against security forces, which is against the Torah—דרכיה דרכי נעם.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu released the following statement: “I strongly condemn the violent disturbances in Bnei Brak directed at IDF female soldiers and Israel Police officers. This is an extremist minority that does not represent the broader Chareidi community. This is a grave and unacceptable act. We will not allow anarchy, and we will not tolerate any harm to IDF servicemembers or security forces who carry out their duties with dedication and determination.”

Shas chairman Aryeh Deri stated, “The Shas movement strongly condemns the acts of violence, vandalism, and rioting carried out by a small group of extremists in Bnei Brak. These actions are completely contrary to the path of the Torah, harm the broader Chareidi ציבור, cause a Chilul Hashem, and inflict serious damage on the just struggle on behalf of the עולם התורה.”

“Leave our camp!”

Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Lieberman said, “We can’t expect the ‘draft dodger’ government to condemn or act against this violence. In the next government, we’ll treat these rioters like terrorists!”

Naftali Bennett also slammed the protestors, writing, “A bright red line was crossed here…. we will restore governance to Israel.”

The IDF released the following statement condemning the mob attack: “The Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, views with utmost severity and strongly condemns the assault on IDF female soldiers who were carrying out a military mission earlier today in Bnei Brak. Any attack on IDF soldiers carried out by Israeli civilians constitutes a serious red line being crossed and must be dealt with firmly. The Chief of Staff expects that the attackers will be brought to justice.”

 

The Charedi community remains on edge as military police continue arresting Charedim for refusing to respond to IDF draft notices.

President Isaac Herzog wrote, “I am following with deep concern the serious events in Bnei Brak. Violence against security forces is a direct blow to the security of the state. There is no—and will be no—legitimacy for attacking IDF soldiers.”

“The IDF is the people’s army. Our soldiers, women and men alike, are the sons and daughters of us all, from every part of Israeli society. The assault on IDF female soldiers carried out by a fringe group of extremists is a grave and unacceptable act, and I strongly condemn it.”

 

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)