Haredi deserter punches police officer and barricades himself with dozens of yeshiva students

Clashes in Beitar Illit: A Haredi deserter attacked a police officer with a punch during Simchat Torah celebrations, after police were called following a report of an intoxicated person assaulting passersby. The suspect and dozens of students barricaded themselves in a yeshiva, rabbis ordered "not to surrender." A patrol car tire was punctured and a trash can was set on fire.

Violent clashes erupted in Beitar Illit during Simchat Torah celebrations, after police were called following a report of an intoxicated person assaulting passersby. Officers from the Etzion station who arrived at the scene investigated the circumstances, at which point another intoxicated individual arrived and attacked officers with a punch, interfering with their work. Police reported that the suspect was arrested and is a Haredi deserter. Following the arrest, the suspect and dozens of students began barricading themselves in the Rabbi Chaim from the Mountain Yeshiva, while spreading false claims, according to police, that this was a draft-dodging arrest operation. Rabbis ordered "not to surrender" and to go out and protest. During the clashes, a police patrol car tire was punctured and a trash can was set on fire. Additional police forces were called to the scene and are working to restore order.