Violent disturbances erupted overnight in Beit Shemesh after the arrest of a yeshiva bochur classified by authorities as a draft evader, leading hundreds of demonstrators to gather outside the local police station. The unrest escalated as dozens of protesters forced their way into the station compound, set fires, and clashed with police officers and Border Police personnel.

According to police, the arrested individual, a yeshiva bochur from Beitar Illit, was detained during a routine inspection conducted under a recently implemented enforcement policy. Authorities said he was transferred to military police custody before protesters arrived at the scene.

As the night progressed, tensions intensified. Police reported that a group of demonstrators breached the station grounds, ignited several fires in the area, and engaged in confrontations with security forces attempting to restore order.

The disturbances come amid growing controversy surrounding a directive issued by Israel Police Commissioner Danny Levy instructing officers to proactively locate and arrest yeshiva bochurim who have not regularized their military status.

Police said the protest initially began outside the Beit Shemesh station in response to the bochur’s detention by military police. Although the detainee had not been brought to the station itself, the gathering quickly grew. At a certain point, authorities said, dozens of rioters turned violent, stormed the station compound, and set nearby vegetation ablaze.

Yerushalayim District police officers and Border Police troops were deployed to disperse the crowd and push demonstrators away from the facility. Police said several separate fires broke out in the adjacent wooded area during the disturbances. Fire and Rescue Services responded to the scene and succeeded in extinguishing the blazes.

Later in the night, security forces managed to clear protesters from the police station grounds and surrounding roads. However, clashes continued in the vicinity of Route 38, where demonstrators allegedly hurled stones at police and attempted to block traffic.

Several individuals were arrested on suspicion of rioting and assaulting police officers. Jerusalem Region Commander Chief Superintendent Shlomi Bachar arrived at the scene and oversaw the police response.

Police said forces remain deployed in the area and are continuing efforts to restore calm and prevent additional disturbances.

{Matzav.com}