Israel Police Begin Detaining Yeshiva Students Under New Draft-Related Directive

Overview

• Police Commissioner Dani Levy issued a directive this week instructing officers to detain anyone flagged in police records as a draft evader and hand them to military police for further processing.
• Under the order, Israel Police detained and transferred multiple yeshiva students to military custody, with at least three moved to a military detention facility after being held by civilian officers.
• The arrests triggered rapid mobilization through chareidi alert networks, protests and clashes outside police stations in several towns, during which officers used stun or smoke grenades and police reported property damage.
• The IDF has been reported to be planning proactive, large-scale arrest operations in chareidi population centers that will require coordinated support from the Israel Police, and joint planning meetings are under way.
• In response to the backlash Commissioner Levy has opened internal reviews, is probing an officer filmed reassuring protesters, and is weighing a limited change to avoid arresting chareidim who come into police stations to file complaints or seek services.