Haredi protesters rage against draft as leaders weigh coalition deal with Eisenkot bloc

Dozens of Haredi protesters blocked roads and a light rail in Beit Shemesh and Jerusalem on Wednesday evening after three yeshiva students were arrested for failing to enlist. Police declared the protests illegal and used force. Meanwhile, Channel 12 reported that senior Haredi leader Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch authorized negotiations with Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot over forming a government, prioritizing legal status for draft-dodging students. UTJ MK Yaakov Asher met with Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman, while former MK Moshe Gafni worked to prevent Haredi factions from joining an Eisenkot-led government.

Dozens of Haredi protesters blocked a road outside Beit Shemesh and the light rail on Jerusalem's Jaffa Street on Wednesday evening, footage showed, reportedly in protest after the military detained yeshiva students who failed to enlist for mandatory service. Police declared both protests illegal and used force to disperse rioters. Haredi news outlet Kikar HaShabbat reported that the protests followed the arrest of three students from an ultra-Orthodox yeshiva in Jerusalem, who were arrested on Route 90 while driving back from the Dead Sea overnight Monday-Tuesday. The three were sentenced to 20 days in military prison after police found they had standing draft orders. Rioters also threw a stone at i24 reporter Shany Weitzman and attacked photojournalist Nadav Abbas with a metal rod. As the protests unfolded, Channel 12 reported that senior Haredi leader Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch authorized ultra-Orthodox representatives to open negotiations with the bloc led by Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot over the possible formation of a government. Hirsch's top priority is securing the legal status of yeshiva students currently considered draft dodgers. Channel 12 also reported that United Torah Judaism MK Yaakov Asher met with Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Liberman. Kan news reported that former MK Moshe Gafni is working behind the scenes to stop his party from joining the anti-Netanyahu bloc. New MK Eliakim Stark voiced support for secular subjects, Haredi soldiers, and employment opportunities.