Ultra-Orthodox protesters block roads around Jerusalem, Bnei Brak at anti-draft rallies

Shas blames anti-draft riots on attorney general

Shas claims draft-evasion arrests are politically motivated to weaken the right-wing bloc.

Ultra-Orthodox protesters block roads around Jerusalem, Bnei Brak at anti-draft rallies

Haredi protesters block streets in Bnei Brak as police prepare for more arrests

Police disperse Jerusalem protesters as anti-draft demonstrations block Route 4

The demonstrations followed a call by the Jerusalem Faction, a hardline ultra-Orthodox movement opposed to military conscription, to protest recent arrests of yeshiva students

HAFGANOS CONTINUE: Police Use Significant Force to Disperse Protesters in Yerushalayim and Bnei Brak

Hafganos are ongoing in Yerushalayim and Bnei Brak, with police using significant force to disperse protesters.

EXPLOSIVE ACCUSATION: Shas Claims Kaplan Protest Activists Are Funding Chareidi Roadblocks, Accuses Attorney General of Election Interference

Israel’s Shas party issued a blistering statement Thursday evening accusing anti-government activists associated with the Kaplan protest movement of financing demonstrations by the Peleg Yerushalmi, while alleging that Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara is deliberately using the arrests of yeshiva bochurim to undermine the chareidi community and weaken the political right ahead of the elections. The extraordinary accusations came amid widespread demonstrations and major highway closures in Bnei Brak and Yerushalayim following the arrest of a yeshiva bochur from Be’er Sheva, Eliyahu Davda, over military enlistment issues. Shas alleged that the timing of the arrests and the resulting unrest were part of a calculated effort to damage the standing of the chareidi public, discourage religious voters from participating in the election and fracture the right-wing political bloc. In its statement, the party declared, “The deliberate and painful arrests of yeshiva students during this period, and the chaos we are now witnessing on Israel’s roads, are the work of the attorney general.” The party further alleged that the objective was “to dismantle the right-wing bloc, turn the public against the chareidi community, and cause segments of that community to refrain from voting.” Shas characterized the developments as an unprecedented intrusion by legal authorities and elements within the military police into the electoral process, describing the situation as “blatant and unprecedented interference.” The party did not stop at criticizing the attorney general. It also leveled a particularly striking allegation against the Kaplan protest movement, whose activists have been prominent in demonstrations against the Netanyahu government and its judicial policies. According to Shas, information obtained by the party indicates that individuals associated with the Kaplan movement are providing financial support for the ongoing protests against the arrests of bnei yeshiva. The party alleged that extremist elements have joined those demonstrations and are responsible for violent disturbances and roadblocks that place lives in danger. The claims of financial involvement by Kaplan activists were presented by Shas as information in its possession. The statement did not publicly identify the alleged funders or provide documentary evidence establishing the purported financial connection. At the same time, Shas sought to distance the broader chareidi community from the violent confrontations and disruptions that accompanied the demonstrations. “The acts do not represent the chareidi community,” the party declared, warning that the disturbances were causing a “terrible chillul Hashem” and inflicting serious damage on efforts to secure a legislative arrangement protecting the status of full-time Torah learners. The statement reflected growing concern within Shas that the confrontational tactics employed by Peleg Yerushalmi demonstrators could undermine public sympathy for the struggle over yeshiva military enlistment and complicate negotiations over a draft law. Shas concluded its statement with a direct appeal to the chareidi public: “Do not allow the attorney general and Kaplan’s money to sabotage us from within. Do not let them win.” The allegations prompted a response from the Committee for the Salvation of the Torah World, which rejected the suggestion that the demonstrations were being financed by anti-government activists. The committee insisted that the protests were being organized and funded independently by members of the Torah community, without political considerations, and that their sole objective was to protect yeshiva bochurim and kollel yungeleit from military conscription. The controversy also unfolded amid tensions between Shas and Peleg Yerushalmi activists following the disruption of a Shas election gathering in Modiin Illit attended by party chairman Aryeh Deri. Protesters entered the area of the gathering and shouted against the Shas leadership, leading to a confrontation that ultimately brought the event to an early end. Police were summoned and assisted Deri and other participants in leaving the building. Authorities reported that order was restored and that no injuries or property damage resulted from the incident. Shas subsequently accused extremist Peleg activists of attempting to disrupt the gathering and again alleged that individuals associated with the Kaplan movement were providing financial backing. The day’s unrest followed the arrest of Eliyahu Davda, a yeshiva bochur from Be’er Sheva, whose detention triggered widespread anger and demonstrations against the military draft enforcement campaign. Protesters blocked major traffic arteries, including Highway 4 near Bnei Brak and roads at the entrance to Yerushalayim, leading to lengthy delays and confrontations with police. The demonstrations eventually ended after organizers instructed participants to leave the protest locations and return to their learning, allowing authorities to reopen the affected roads. {Matzav.com}