A turbulent Erev Shabbos saw multiple arrests of yeshiva bochurim and avreichim across Israel, triggering outrage in the chareidi community and raising fears of escalating confrontations with law enforcement over the issue of draft evasion.

The first incident unfolded in Kiryat Gat, where a Belzer Yungerman was arrested on allegations of draft evasion and transferred by police to military authorities.

According to eyewitnesses, the avreich had approached officers in an attempt to assist them during a disturbance when he was detained. The arrest sparked immediate anger within Belz, where many viewed the incident as a violation of understandings that had been developed between law enforcement and the chareidi community.

One source in Belz sharply criticized the arrest, warning that it could have serious consequences for ongoing cooperation between the chassidus and authorities.

The incident prompted emergency consultations among Belzer leaders, and volunteers affiliated with police programs, along with members of the community involved in military frameworks, were reportedly called to attend an emergency gathering Motzaei Shabbos.

The avreich was ultimately released before Shabbos following intensive efforts by Deputy Minister Yisrael Eichler, senior askanim, and prominent chareidi officials serving in significant positions within the IDF, who worked behind the scenes to secure his release.

At the same time, a separate incident unfolded on Highway 6, where three talmidim from Yeshivas Maalos HaTorah, identified with the Peleg Yerushalmi, were detained after standing on the side of the road seeking rides. After being stopped by traffic police, they were transferred to military authorities.

Unlike several bochurim arrested earlier this week in Lod who were subsequently released, two of the Maalos HaTorah students reportedly remain in custody.

The Peleg Yerushalmi is now preparing for demonstrations across the country. Activists affiliated with the “Tzeva Shachor” protest network have begun mobilizing supporters and calling for public protests in response to the arrests.

Earlier in the day, amid the uproar over the Kiryat Gat arrest, Police Commissioner Daniel Levi ordered an immediate review into the circumstances surrounding the detention of the Belzer avreich.

The incidents come just one day after reports emerged that Israeli police are working on a new framework regarding interactions with chareidi draft evaders. According to the reported proposal, a draft evader who voluntarily enters a police station to file a complaint, report a missing person, or seek police assistance would not be detained or transferred to military authorities.

However, under the same framework, an individual encountered during a routine traffic stop, checkpoint inspection, or unrelated police interaction would still be detained and transferred to the military police.

Critics argue that the Kiryat Gat incident appears to contradict the spirit of those understandings and has further fueled accusations that police are discouraging cooperation between the chareidi public and law enforcement.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)