Dozens of members of the Peleg Yerushalmi broke into the Ashkelon home of the IDF’s chief military police officer on Tuesday evening during a day of widespread protests, prompting sharp condemnation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior defense officials.

The unusual incident unfolded as part of demonstrations against the recent arrests of chareidi draft evaders by military police. Protesters entered the private residence of Brig. Gen. Yuval Yamin, the head of the Military Police Corps. His family was evacuated from the home during the disturbance, and police reported that 25 suspects were arrested.

Earlier in the day, Rabbi Moshe Shmida, rosh yeshiva of Grodno Ashdod, had reportedly instructed his students during a shiur to keep plans confidential and organize a surprise protest in Ashkelon in response to the detention of two yeshiva students.

Police estimated that roughly 200 demonstrators gathered at the scene. According to a military source, several individuals climbed over the fence and forced their way into the yard. Yamin himself was not home at the time, but his wife and children remained inside, sheltering in place.

Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned the breach, stating: “I strongly condemn the wild and violent attack against the head of the military police and demand firm action against those involved.” Representatives of the Peleg Yerushalmi responded to the criticism by saying: “Red lines have been crossed — leave Torah learners alone.”

Reports indicated that authorities had prior knowledge of the planned protest but were unable to prevent participants from entering the property. The family was subsequently removed from the residence for safety.

Police said in a statement: “Officers from the Lachish District are currently operating in the city of Ashkelon to restore public order after rioters arrived at the home of a senior IDF officer, trespassed into the yard, acted violently and disrupted daily life in the area. Police forces have begun arresting suspects involved in the disorder. The Israel Police views with utmost severity any violent behavior, disruption of public order, and trespassing into a private residence, and will act decisively to bring all those involved to justice, alongside continued efforts to maintain public order and public safety.”

Defense officials also issued strong reactions. The defense minister said: “I strongly condemn the deliberate break-in to the home of the head of the military police while his family was inside. Any harm or attempted harm to members of the security forces, and particularly to IDF commanders and soldiers, is crossing a red line. This is a group of violent criminals who must face the full severity of the law. I call on law enforcement authorities to act decisively, swiftly and with all the tools at their disposal to locate the suspects and bring them to justice. I fully back Brig. Gen. Yuval Yamin and make it clear: we will not allow harm to IDF commanders and soldiers.”

An IDF spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating: “A short time ago, a report was received of a deliberate break-in to the home of the chief military police officer, Brigadier General Yuval Yamin, while his family was inside. Security forces were dispatched to the scene and are working to locate the suspects.”

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir also condemned the event, saying: “I strongly condemn the attack. Harm to members of the security forces and their families constitutes a dangerous crossing of a red line. I fully support the head of the Military Police in the dedicated execution of his duties. This is a serious incident and requires determined action by all law enforcement and security authorities in order to bring those involved to justice.”

Political leaders from across the spectrum quickly responded. MK Yuli Edelstein said: “There is no place in our country for this extreme violence against IDF soldiers and their commanders. This is a fringe group of extremists that must be dealt with to the full extent of the law. It is time for the coalition to understand that the situation on the ground is boiling, and if they continue to abandon this arena to Supreme Court rulings time and again, there will be chaos. Only a real draft law will help the IDF, ease the burden on reservists, and prevent civil war.”

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich added: “I strongly condemn the criminal break-in to the home of the head of the military police, Brig. Gen. Yuval Yamin. This is crossing a red line and I call on the Israel Police to act decisively to arrest the rioters, bring them to justice with full severity, and restore order to the streets.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said: “I strongly condemn the disgraceful behavior of a small group of anarchists from the extreme chareidi faction who broke into the home of the military police commander. Freedom of expression is not freedom of anarchy. I have full confidence in the police to bring the lawbreakers to justice.”

Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel commented: “The break-in to Brig. Gen. Yamin’s yard is a crossing of a red line, and this is the interest we are paying on exemption laws. A state that funds an entire sector not to serve cannot be surprised when it disregards the law. Tonight’s events are a direct result of a distorted incentive structure. When there are budgets without obligations, anarchy becomes a method of operation. Instead of young people in this sector holding weapons at the front and going to work, the legal system allows them to hold signs and hold the state by the throat.”

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman said: “The October 7 government has surrendered to draft-dodging gangs. Breaking into the home of the head of the military police is crossing a red line, and I suggest everyone watch how many arrests are made and how many indictments are filed. We will put an end to the rule of the draft-dodgers.”

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz stated: “There is nothing Jewish about the violent protest of a group of extreme chareidim tonight in Ashkelon. This is crossing a red line, and if we do not wake up now, blood will be spilled! The Israel Police must act firmly against the rioters, and I also call on the leaders of the chareidi public and the rabbis — do not stand aside, the responsibility is yours. Service in the IDF is not only a legal obligation of every citizen — it is a Jewish right.”

Opposition leader Yair Lapid also responded, saying: “Breaking into the home of a senior officer is crossing yet another red line. Everyone involved must be arrested, tried, and sent to prison.”

Yesh Atid chairman Gadi Eisenkot added: “The intrusion of criminals who support draft evasion into the home of the head of the military police, Brig. Gen. Yuval Yamin, is an extremely serious and unacceptable event, stemming from government policy that allows and even promotes evasion of service during wartime.”

Throughout the day, protests organized by the Peleg Yerushalmi took place across the country in opposition to the draft law and sanctions against those who failed to enlist. The demonstrations led to major traffic disruptions, including significant blockages along Route 4 and at multiple locations in Yerushalayim. Clashes were also reported in the Bar-Ilan area of the capital.

Police later announced that order had been restored and all roads reopened in Yerushalayim and the Beit Shemesh area. The operations followed a series of violent disturbances during which protesters blocked light rail tracks and traffic lanes, burned Israeli flags, and threw stones at officers.

During the unrest, a police officer was assaulted and a suspect was arrested. Authorities said crowd-control measures were used to disperse demonstrators and emphasized that enforcement efforts would continue against anyone endangering public safety or attacking law enforcement personnel.

{Matzav.com}