Clashes Erupt at Prison 10 as Charedi Protesters Block Van with Arrested Young Men

Tensions boiled over outside Prison 10 Wednesday evening as a van carrying 20 Charedi men, including 10 arrested, arrived for transfer to a military prison, according to Bechadrei Charedim.  Protestors from the Gerrer chasidus community attempted to stop the vehicle and free the detainees, leading to violent clashes with police and soldiers.

Eyewitnesses report that after a major commotion, the van was forced to turn around and leave the area. This follows a wave of arrests over the past few days, during which more than 70 Charedi draft evaders have been taken into custody, including 25 arrested Wednesday at Ben Gurion Airport. The total number is likely higher, as some deserters turned themselves in before planned arrests.

The IDF Spokesperson’s Office confirmed the arrests, stating: “As part of ongoing enforcement, several draft evaders were detained, tried in a disciplinary hearing, and sent to military prison. While en route, the vehicle encountered demonstrators at the Kfar Yona intersection. Protesters threw stones and used tear gas against soldiers. Two soldiers sustained minor injuries but were treated on site without evacuation.”

One of the detainees managed to escape during the incident. The IDF condemned any attacks against personnel and reiterated that it will continue enforcing the law.

Meanwhile, lawyers Shlomo Hadad and Itai Cohen criticized the military for detaining a mentally ill Charedi yeshiva student. “This 20-year-old, diagnosed with schizophrenia and receiving a full National Insurance pension, was denied his medication and sentenced to 20 days in prison despite his medical history,” they said. “We will pursue every legal avenue to secure his release.”

The demonstrations reflect growing outrage among Charedi communities over the arrests of young men for studying Torah instead of serving in the army. Harav Nehemiah Alter, son of the Gerrer Rebbe shlita, has publicly denounced Charedi representatives who support government votes, warning based on Megilas Esther, “revach v’hatzolag ya’amod la’yehudim mimakom acher.”