Dozens of ultra-Orthodox protesters gathered Wednesday evening outside the home of Israeli Supreme Court Justice Noam Solberg in Alon Shvut, where demonstrators reportedly attempted to breach the property and caused damage to private belongings.
According to images and eyewitness accounts from the scene, protesters threw a heavy object that shattered the windshield of a vehicle belonging to the justice. Additional damage was reportedly caused to property surrounding the residence.
Police forces were deployed to the area and began detaining multiple suspects on suspicion of involvement in public disorder and vandalism.
Netanyahu Levin and Katz Condemn Violence
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly condemned the incident, calling for strict law enforcement action.
“I strongly condemn the violent riot directed at Justice Noam Solberg. Law enforcement authorities must prosecute those responsible to the fullest extent of the law,” Netanyahu said.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin expressed support for Solberg and his family, urging the public to reject violence and intimidation.
Defense Minister Israel Katz described those involved as “a small group of extremist criminals” whose actions, he said, do not represent the values of Torah study or Israeli society.
Judiciary Warns Against Attempts to Intimidate Judges
In an unusually forceful statement, the Judicial Authority of Israel said attempts to pressure, threaten or intimidate judges would not influence judicial decision-making.
“Israel’s judges will continue to perform their duties professionally, independently and without fear, in accordance with the law and their obligations to the public,” the statement said.Several hours after the incident, the ultra-Orthodox parties Shas and Degel HaTorah issued a joint statement condemning the violence.
At the same time, the parties accused the Supreme Court of pursuing what they described as an ongoing campaign against Torah students and warned that judicial actions regarding military conscription had contributed to growing tensions.
The parties stressed that violence was contrary to religious values and rejected the attack on Solberg's home.
Local Authorities Call for Zero Tolerance
The Gush Etzion Regional Council condemned the unrest and called on police to prosecute those responsible.
“An attack on any individual in his home is a despicable crime,” the council said, expressing support for Solberg and pledging zero tolerance toward violent behavior.
The Movement for Quality Government in Israel, which has led legal petitions demanding equal military service obligations, called on Police Commissioner Danny Levy to take immediate action.
The organization argued that the same protesters involved in recent demonstrations have benefited from insufficient enforcement of military draft laws and urged authorities to restore public order.
Arrests of Draft-Evading Yeshiva Students
The demonstration follows a series of protests organized by members of the so-called Jerusalem Faction against the arrest of yeshiva students classified as draft evaders.
On Monday, demonstrators blocked major highways, disrupted traffic near Jerusalem and Netivot, and entered railway tracks near Ganot Junction, prompting a temporary suspension of train services affecting routes to Ben Gurion Airport, Jerusalem, Modiin, Beit Shemesh and Beersheba.
Rail Disruptions and Clashes With Police
According to Israel Railways, train operations were halted after protesters entered restricted rail areas, creating safety hazards and widespread transportation disruptions.
Police used water cannons, mounted units and other crowd-control measures to disperse demonstrators after roads and public transportation routes were blocked.
Authorities reported that three police officers sustained minor injuries and several suspects were arrested on charges including rioting and assaulting officers.
Police also reported that an Israeli soldier who disembarked from a bus during Monday's protests in Jerusalem was surrounded and assaulted by demonstrators before officers intervened and escorted him to safety.
In a separate incident near Ganot Interchange, emergency responders treated a pedestrian who was struck by a motorcycle close to a protest site before transporting him to Sheba Medical Center.
Growing National Debate Over Conscription
The latest unrest comes amid a deepening national dispute over military conscription and the status of ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students. The issue has become one of the most contentious political and legal debates in Israel, placing increasing pressure on the government, the judiciary and law enforcement agencies as they seek to balance religious exemptions, equality before the law and national security requirements.
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