Violent disturbances erupted across Bnei Brak on Sunday afternoon, leading to the arrest of 23 Charedim as police forces utilized riot dispersal means to restore order. The events, sparked by an attack on IDF personnel, escalated into severe clashes that saw the burning of a police motorcycle containing a siddur and tefilin R”L.

The unrest began on Chagai Street when three female IDF commanders were said to have arrived in the city to conduct an official pre-draft home visit for a candidate soon to enlist. The army subsequently denied that the soldiers were there for that reason.

According to reports, the commanders were chased by dozens of anti-draft protesters. Following the extraction of the personnel by police forces, riots spread to several adjacent locations, with gathered crowds clashing with security forces.

Additionally, three police officers were lightly injured in the chaos.

Witnesses reported that a rescue worker who arrived on the scene and attempted to extinguish the motorcycle was physically pushed away by rioters, preventing him from saving the vehicle.

In response to the deteriorating situation, large police detachments were summoned to the city, and a police helicopter was deployed overhead.

Tensions peaked when police forces conducted a raid near the Bohosh Yeshiva. Eyewitnesses reported that officers used stun grenades and force to disperse crowds near the yeshiva. Claims have surfaced regarding the disruption of  the beis medrash during the operation, causing agitation within the local community who felt that collective punishment was being applied due to the actions of a fringe group.

Police Commissioner-General Danny Levy arrived in Bnei Brak to oversee operations alongside Dan District Commander Deputy Commissioner Elad Klein. “We are a country of law and will not allow thuggish behavior,” Levy stated, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy.

The violence was met with swift and sharp condemnation from both government officials and Chareidi leadership, who sought to distance the broader Torah-observant public from the actions of the extremists.

Following the afternoon riots, Gedolei Yisrael condemned the riots as a “severe Chillul Hashem” and strictly prohibiting talmidim from even approaching the scene of the disturbances.

In a special letter addressed to bnei yeshiva this evening, HaGaon HaRav Dov Lando, shlita, issued a stark warning regarding the friction with police forces.”G-d forbid, G-d forbid, being in places where there is confrontation with the police,” the Rosh Yeshiva wrote. “In addition to the danger, there is great Chillul Hashem in this, may Hashem have mercy on us.”

The letter, which carried an unusually personal and pained tone, noted that the Rosh Yeshiva was writing “with great sorrow and great dread.”

HaGaon HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, shlita, joined the urgent call, adding his signature with the words: “And of course I agree with all of the above.”

The Gedolim emphasized that the prohibition applies not only to active participation but to being present at the scene entirely. The letter warned against the excuse of “I just passed by,” instructing talmidim to remain within the walls of the beis medrash and devote themselves entirely to their studies and sedarim.

While rumors swirled that the IDF personnel were in the city to recruit Chareidi youth, the IDF told media outlets that this was incorrect.

According to the army, the personnel were female commanders from the “Chavat Hashomer” base, a unit dedicated to soldiers from difficult backgrounds. They had arrived to conduct a standard pre-draft home visit for a specific candidate who is not in a Chareidi track. Due to the attack by the mob, the visit was cancelled.

However, acknowledging the sensitivity of the location, the IDF has announced an investigation into the command decision to approve the entry of the soldiers into the heart of Bnei Brak without better coordination.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement saying, “I strongly condemn the violent riots in Bnei Brak against IDF soldiers and Israel Police officers. This is an extremist minority that does not represent the broader Chareidi public. We will not allow anarchy and will not tolerate any harm to IDF service members and security forces carrying out their duties.”

The leaders of the Chareidi political parties were equally vocal in their denunciation, stressing that such violence is antithetical to Torah values.
UTJ leader Yitzchak Goldknopf stated: “I was shocked by the footage. I strongly condemn the violence against security forces in Bnei Brak. This is contrary to the Torah – its ways are ways of pleasantness.”

Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri added: “Shas strongly condemns the acts of violence, vandalism and rioting by a small group of extremists in Bnei Brak. These actions are completely contrary to the path of the Torah, harm the entire Chareidi public, cause a chillul Hashem and severely damage the just struggle for the Torah world. Leave our camp!”

As of Sunday evening, police forces remain stationed at several focal points throughout the city to prevent a resurgence of violence.