The deserter from the Sanz Hasidic sect was released from military prison on Friday evening, a day after a protest outside Prison 10, according to reports. The release follows weeks of tensions over the arrest of Haredi draft evaders.
The Sanz Hasidic deserter whose arrest sparked a day of protest was released from military prison on Friday evening, July 17, a day after the protest rally outside Prison 10. The release was reported by Israeli media and confirmed by community sources.
The protest sequence began on Thursday evening, July 16, when The Zioneer reported that Sanz Hasidim heading to a rally were blocked by Jerusalem Faction protesters (version 1, 18:36 Jerusalem). Later that evening, a quiet protest rally was underway (version 2), and then the Sanz Rebbe personally led a prayer rally (version 3) as thousands of Haredi protesters gathered (version 4). The Zioneer had earlier reported that the Sanz Rebbe cut his vacation short to appear at the rally (Jul 16, 07:46 Jerusalem). The release of this deserter follows a pattern of releases: earlier this month, on June 19, The Zioneer reported on additional Haredi deserters being released from military prison to cheers and dancing.
The release comes amid ongoing tensions over the arrest of Haredi draft evaders. The Zioneer previously reported on June 18 that Gur Hasidim danced outside Prison 10 upon news of an expected release of a deserter. The involvement of the Sanz Rebbe, a prominent figure in the Hasidic world, underscored the community's mobilization.
The circumstances of the release, including any conditions or legal proceedings, were not immediately detailed. It remains unclear whether the deserter's release is part of a broader resolution or a temporary measure.
4 developments
- DevelopingAdditional Haredi deserters released from military prison, greeted with cheers and dancing
- StrongBelz yeshiva student detained for draft evasion released — Sephardic Haredim allege discriminatory arrests
- DevelopingGur Hasidim dance outside Prison 10 as news spreads of expected release of deserter
- StrongShas MKs, rabbi join Haredi protest rally outside military prison over draft-evader arrest
Source and signal
- Internal intake