Dozens of extremist protesters rioted Tuesday night outside a recruitment information fair for Chareidi military service tracks in Yerushalayim, assaulting participants, surrounding retired Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter, and hurling abuse at police officers. At least one protester was arrested.

The disturbance took place on Yaffo Street, where organizers were holding an informational event for young Chareidim interested in learning about specialized IDF service programs. Protest organizers had circulated calls through anti-draft hotlines urging demonstrators to converge on the location and block access to the event.

According to reports, protesters attempted to prevent attendees from entering the venue while chanting slogans against the gathering. Police officers who arrived to keep the entrance open and restore order were met with shouts of “Nazis” and “murderers” from members of the crowd.

Several violent incidents were reported during the protest. Demonstrators surrounded and blocked a taxi carrying one of the event organizers, attempted to force their way into the vehicle, spat at it, and kicked one participant before police officers managed to extract him safely from the crowd.

Journalist Rafi Perlstein was also identified by protesters, who accused him of promoting enlistment. Demonstrators allegedly chased him and several other participants through nearby streets while subjecting them to verbal and physical abuse. Police intervened to restore order, and at least one suspect was taken into custody.

Perlstein later wrote on X, “Nir the driver, thank you for saving me. I’m sorry you had to go through this.”

He continued, “I’m still trying to process what happened tonight. During the protest I was violently attacked. They grabbed my yarmulke and tried to steal my laptop. The police rescued me into a taxi. From there the situation only escalated. For many long minutes they tore apart Nir’s taxi while his son, a child with special needs, was sitting inside crying and terrified. I heard with my own ears people offering Nir money to throw me out of the taxi. A stack of bills was pulled out, and he chose instead to protect me with his own body.”

Perlstein added, “Thank you to Yehuda Chaimzon, who took painful blows alongside me, as well as spit, filth, and much more. People can disagree, demonstrate, and protest, but anyone who raises a hand against another person, spits, destroys property, and terrorizes a helpless child is not defending the Torah and is not making a kiddush Hashem. Violence must never become a legitimate language. We are truly better than this.”

A primary target of the protesters’ anger was retired Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter, who had been invited to address the gathering.

As Winter left the venue following his remarks, dozens of demonstrators surrounded him, shouting insults and denunciations. One protester yelled, “Ofer Winter, there is no forgiveness for you. Inciter and misleader, woe unto you. You are harming the Torah. Hashem will repay you. Heretic, be ashamed. You have no portion in Judaism! Lowly traitor, traitor to the Jewish people.”

Winter, who previously served as commander of the Givati Brigade, commander of the 98th Division, and military secretary to Israel’s defense minister, has advocated integrating Chareidim who are not bnei yeshiva into military service while expressing respect for the Torah world. His name has also been mentioned in recent months as a possible future political candidate.

Responding to the incident, Winter said, “I had the privilege of speaking this evening to dozens of young men from the Chareidi community who are interested in meaningful military service during the service tracks fair. They are wonderful, pioneering young people who represent a significant segment of the Chareidi public. I regret the actions of the delusional extremist fringe of the Jerusalem Faction, which does not represent the Chareidi community and harms the entire Chareidi public. They will not deter me from continuing to help integrate the Chareidi community into the IDF in a manner appropriate for it.”

He added, “The extremists must be dealt with firmly, without harming the Torah world. I respect the Torah world and those who learn Torah, and I am not intimidated by a delusional fringe that, instead of learning Torah, wastes Torah study and harms the Chareidi community. As for those who chased me, I would recommend that the military police draft them tonight. They certainly are not Torah learners.”

The violence quickly drew political reactions. Yisrael Beiteinu chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman sharply criticized the protesters, saying, “Right now in Yerushalayim, dozens of violent draft dodgers are rioting, spitting on, and cursing those who do serve.” He added that under the next government, “draft evaders won’t have time to chase soldiers and law-abiding citizens because they’ll be busy running through basic training.”

Former Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel also condemned the disturbances, stating, “The violence and persecution of Chareidi young men who merely wanted to learn about military service opportunities is a disgrace that has no place in the State of Israel. Draft evaders receive support, while those who enlist get the cold shoulder.”

He further asked, “Where is the minister of national security? Where is the prime minister? Where is Smotrich, who is afraid of the Chareidi power brokers? Silence is filth.”

{Matzav.com}