Haredi protesters from the Vizhnitz Hasidic community established a makeshift study hall outside the Attorney General's office in Jerusalem on Wednesday evening, protesting the arrest of draft evaders, according to Israel Hayom.
Wednesday evening's establishment of a makeshift study hall outside the Attorney General's office marks the latest tactic in a rapidly escalating protest by Vizhnitz Hasidim against the arrest of draft evaders. At 21:20 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that protesters had set up a *beit midrash* with protest signs at the site, a development that followed a planned demonstration announced for 18:00 Wednesday. The protest is now an ongoing encampment rather than a timed rally, shifting from street demonstrations to a stationary, symbolic presence.
The thread began at 21:20 Jerusalem on Tuesday, June 30, when The Zioneer reported that the Vizhnitz community was organizing a protest for Wednesday, though police had not yet approved a permit. By 21:20 Jerusalem Tuesday, the protest was confirmed for 18:00 Wednesday outside the Attorney General's office. At 21:20 Jerusalem Wednesday, The Zioneer first reported that the protesters were present — dozens of Vizhnitz Hasidim demonstrating at the location. The Wednesday 21:20 dispatch also documented the establishment of the makeshift study hall, which was not present at the earlier confirmed rally time. The broader protest wave dates back to at least June 10, when Haredi demonstrators in Jerusalem reportedly attempted to block the extradition of draft evaders to military police (unverified, single source at the time). On June 17, extremist Haredi protesters demonstrated outside the Beit Lid military base against the same arrests, as The Zioneer reported at 17:35 Jerusalem.
As The Zioneer previously reported, the Haredi protest movement has evolved from scattered road blockades to organized, stationary demonstrations targeting government institutions. The choice of the Attorney General's office — the seat of legal enforcement of conscription — signals a direct challenge to the state's authority on the draft issue.
It remains unclear whether the Attorney General or police will take action to disperse the encampment, or whether the makeshift study hall will remain overnight.
3 developments
- StrongExtremist Haredim protest outside Beit Lid military base against draft-evader arrests
- StrongShas MKs, rabbi join Haredi protest rally outside military prison over draft-evader arrest
- StrongProtesters rally outside top court nominee's home over arrest of draft evader
- DevelopingRally outside military prison for draft-dodging yeshiva graduate draws MKs, rabbi
Source and signal
- Internal intake