How Netanyahu tried to prevent the Haredi protest
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, through his advisors, pressured the Haredi parties to cancel the Haredi protests against the arrest of draft dodgers, fearing they would harm the Likud campaign and strengthen the Change Bloc. The Haredi parties were surprised by the request and replied that they have no connection to the protests, which are organized by the Jerusalem Faction. The demonstrations lasted about two hours and included clashes with police.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday (Thursday) exerted pressure through his advisors on the Haredi parties in an effort to cancel the Haredi protests against the arrest of draft dodgers that took place across the country. Netanyahu identified that the protests allow the leaders of the Change Bloc to coalesce around the issue of military service, which is the central anchor of the bloc, and feared they would harm the Likud campaign. His advisors approached the leaders of the Haredi parties asking them to intervene, but they were surprised by the request and replied that they have no connection to the Jerusalem Faction, which is responsible for the protests. The Jerusalem Faction is even competing against the Haredi parties in the upcoming elections through the new "Black Color" party. The protests lasted about two hours and included violent incidents, clashes with police, blocking of major traffic arteries (the light rail in Jerusalem and Highway 4), and attempted run-overs. Police arrested three suspects for assaulting officers. Extreme Haredi elements conveyed a message that the protests would intensify if the arrests of draft dodgers continue.