Several bochurim at a yeshiva in Rechasim were reportedly assaulted by violent youths on Motzoei Shabbos, with victims saying they were too afraid to contact police or seek medical treatment because they fear being arrested as military draft deserters.

According to eyewitness accounts, a group of troubled youths entered the yeshiva grounds, hurled rocks and other heavy objects, and brutally attacked several bochurim. Some of the injured reportedly required medical attention but declined to go to a hospital out of concern that authorities would detain them.

“We’re exposed. Our blood has been declared ownerless. They had knives on their waists. I’m afraid to call the police,” one talmid told Channel 13 News.

Another bochur described the frightening scene.

“Right after Shabbos ended, there was a fight involving troubled youths outside our yeshiva. They started throwing rocks toward the yeshiva. One bochur was nearly hit in the head by a large rock that one of them deliberately threw at him. When they realized the police weren’t coming, they grabbed one bochur, threw him to the ground, and beat him mercilessly. Six of them attacked him until he was covered in blood. He’s now lying in the dormitory with a black eye and injuries all over his body.”

The bochur added that the victim has refused to seek medical treatment because he is considered a draft deserter and fears being arrested if he goes to a hospital.

Summing up the atmosphere inside the yeshiva, he said, “We were afraid to call the police because everyone in the yeshiva is a draft deserter. We feel like our lives are in danger, and we have absolutely no protection.”

Channel 13 also reported that another chareidi young man was severely beaten in the face earlier Saturday night in Kfar Chassidim. According to the report, he likewise chose not to file a police complaint because he feared being arrested as a draft deserter.

{Matzav.com}