Authorities are requesting prolonged custody for 62 individuals taken into custody during a destructive demonstration at the residence of High Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, where protesters opposing military conscription requirements for ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students damaged property and fought with law enforcement.
The individuals in custody are set to appear at the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court Thursday morning, where authorities will ask that they continue to be held while the investigation proceeds.
Law enforcement officials report that 65 individuals were taken into custody after the disturbances occurred. Walla news outlet indicated that 62 continued to be held and would face a judge.
The violent demonstration took place Wednesday evening as large groups of protesters gathered at Sohlberg’s residence in the West Bank settlement of Alon Shvut. Throughout the disturbance, demonstrators broke windows at the justice’s residence and car, while also destroying flower containers at the property’s entrance.
According to Ynet reporting, authorities seized drones and GoPro cameras that were in the possession of several suspects.
The demonstration stemmed from resistance among certain ultra-Orthodox activists to Supreme Court rulings regarding military service requirements. Sohlberg had recently overseen decisions mandating that the government enhance enforcement actions against those avoiding the draft, which made him a focus for protesters opposing the military service of yeshiva students.
Following the dispersal of the crowd, Magen David Adom medical personnel responded to the residence after Sohlberg reportedly became ill.
Meira Sohlberg, his wife, voiced her dismay at the destruction that occurred during the disturbance.
“How is it possible that Jews are hurting each other?” she said. “Look at this destruction, a pogrom, what is this, Kristallnacht?” according to Ynet.
Police Commissioner Danny Levy denounced the violence and directed officers to pursue those involved “to the fullest extent of the law.” Authorities stated that Levy received a briefing from Jerusalem District Deputy Commander Yishai Shalem and emphasized that lawful demonstration cannot involve violence, property destruction or assaults on government officials.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu subsequently contacted Sohlberg and denounced the incident.
United Torah Judaism chairman MK Yitzhak Goldknopf and Shas MK Yinon Azoulai similarly criticized the violence.
Subsequently, numerous ultra-Orthodox demonstrators obstructed Jerusalem’s Kikar Shabbat junction in protest of the arrests.
