A group of 42 Chabad Yeshiva Bochrim classified as draft deserters were arrested at Ben Gurion Airport as they stepped off a flight from New York, returning to Israel after a year of learning in Crown Heights.

The bochrim had arranged to fly in together on the same flight in an attempt to challenge the Military Police. But the Military Police had prepared in advance, with officers waiting for the group with minibuses to transfer them to a military trial.

When the proceedings ended, 27 of the bochrim, who announced they would agree to enlist, were released. The remaining 15 were sent to military prison to serve their sentences.