The leaders of Israel’s chareidi political parties issued a joint statement after midnight Wednesday night condemning the violent disturbances outside the home of Deputy Supreme Court President Noam Solberg, while also criticizing what they described as the ongoing persecution of Torah learners.
The statement was signed by Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, Degel HaTorah leader Moshe Gafni, and Agudas Yisroel chairman Yitzchak Goldknopf following the protest, which resulted in significant property damage and dozens of arrests.
While unequivocally denouncing the violence, the three leaders also took aim at Israel’s judicial system, accusing it of pursuing policies that have intensified tensions surrounding the arrests of yeshiva students.
“We are pained and shocked by the ongoing campaign of persecution and trampling of Torah learners by the judges of the Supreme Court,” the statement said. “We have warned time and again that these measures would lead to extremism and anarchy, and sadly, we are now witnessing those fears become reality.”
The chareidi leaders stressed, however, that violence has no place in the response.
“We strongly condemn any act of violence of any kind. Violence is contrary to the way of the Torah and is completely unacceptable,” they declared.
The statement went on to call upon leaders of Israel’s right-wing parties to condemn what the chareidi parties view as the continued targeting of yeshiva students.
“We demand that the leaders of the right-wing parties, who were quick and correct to condemn this incident, also condemn the ongoing and cruel persecution of Torah learners and yeshiva students,” the statement said. “The blood of Torah learners is not hefker.”
65 Arrested Following Violent Protest
The protest took place Wednesday night when dozens of extremist demonstrators gathered outside Solberg’s home to protest increased enforcement measures against yeshiva students who have not reported for military service.
According to police, demonstrators damaged property at the residence, smashing windows, breaking decorative pots and planters near the entrance, and vandalizing the judge’s vehicle.
Large police forces were dispatched to the scene and restored order within minutes. By the end of the operation, officers had detained 65 individuals suspected of participating in the disturbances.
Police said the suspects were taken in for questioning and would later be brought before a court, where investigators are expected to seek extensions of their detention.
The investigation has been assigned to the Judea and Samaria District Major Crimes Unit. Detectives collected witness statements at the scene, while forensic investigators gathered evidence and documentation related to the incident.
Later that night, senior commanders from the district held a situation assessment meeting to review the violent protest and the damage caused to the home and property of the deputy president of the Supreme Court.
Netanyahu Calls Solberg
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Justice Solberg following the incident.
According to officials, Netanyahu reiterated his strong condemnation of the attack against the judge and his family, inquired about their well-being, and emphasized that he expects law-enforcement authorities to take firm action against those responsible.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also condemned the violence.
“Freedom of protest is a fundamental right, but it does not include the freedom of anarchy. I strongly condemn the small extremist group that threw stones, acted violently, and disturbed the peace outside Justice Solberg’s home,” Ben Gvir said.
Meanwhile, senior figures within the Jerusalem Faction sought to distance themselves from the demonstration, stating that they had no connection to the events outside the judge’s residence.
The incident is the latest in a series of increasingly heated protests that have erupted in recent days following a wave of arrests involving yeshiva students.
{Matzav.com}
Creating laws that discriminate against a minority—something that happened in Germany—and having them approved by a supreme authority is also a form of violence.
Focusing only on draft dodgers among Lomdei Torah, while ignoring others from different groups who also avoid the draft, is discriminatory and having them arrested is violence. Extending this to their families—for example, restricting daycare benefits for their wives—while not applying similar measures to the families of people who are incarcerated for crimes like theft or drug offenses, only reinforces that discrimination. To hold back social benefits to a minority based on that you disagree with their Ideology is also theft and Violence
The fact that something is written into law does not automatically make it just moral. During the Nuremberg trials, some Nazis defended their actions by saying they were simply following the law or orders, and that argument was not accepted. Every Ben torah arrested is pure violence every dollar held back from day care is Violince.
Of course, we should not respond with violence and lower ourselves to that level. Unless our Gedolim tell us to go out and fight like our ancestors did in the time of the Chashmonim.
However for this violence Bibi and Mr. Hertzog come out to condemn but the “other” violence (AG Supreme court and Police for arresting a minority) they keep quit. Shame on them!
“Violence is contrary to the way of the Torah and is completely unacceptable,” they declared.”
Am Haaratzim lamely trying to be politically correct.
What did Shimon and Levi do to Shchem and his entire community for daring to defile their sister Dina? Yes, VIOLENCE. Yes, Levi – the forefather of “Shevet Levi” resorted to VIOLENCE to defend their values
Yes Shimon and Levi also went to war against Shechem. They didnt just destroy their own property and their brothers. Its interesting to see how brave these kids are against their own people. How about the countless kedoshim that fall in battle every SINGLE day defending their unappreciative brothers.