Police capitulate: how the ultra-Orthodox recaptured a deserter in Modiin

Ultra-Orthodox Jews in Modiin disrupted the arrest of a deserter by entering into negotiations with the police. The military police agreed to abandon the arrest warrant in exchange for a safe exit. The incident ended in a victory for the crowd: the deserter was greeted as a hero. The IDF criticized the police for capitulating to pressure.

On the night of October 6, 2026, riots broke out in Modiin organized by ultra-Orthodox Jews, who thwarted the military police's arrest of a deserter. The military police arrived with a warrant to detain yeshiva student Yeiri Lieberman, who refuses conscription. At the call of the 'Tzva Shahor' center, Orthodox Jews began gathering at the house where the deserter was located, surrounding the building and attempting to break in. The civilian police, who arrived to restore order, eventually retreated. The incident ended not with an arrest but with an agreement: the military police abandoned their mission in exchange for a safe exit. The deserter was greeted as a hero—he was lifted onto a car roof, where he waved to the cheering crowd. The IDF criticized the police for not confronting the Orthodox, even though military police officers were in danger. The civilian police stated they acted according to a pre-agreed plan. Yisrael Beiteinu party leader Avigdor Lieberman strongly condemned the riots, calling the situation intolerable. Legal experts note the creation of a dangerous precedent where the state's ability to enforce the law depends on the strength of local resistance. The 'Tzva Shahor' center explained their tactic: 'We prevent the arrest; whoever comes to arrest him will call the center, and we will send protesters to him. When protesters arrive, the army leaves.'