Brig. Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter responded Wednesday to the Haredi extremists who attacked him at a Jerusalem recruitment fair the previous day, stating 'I'm not afraid of you,' according to The Zioneer.
Brig. Gen. (res.) Ofer Winter responded on Wednesday to the Haredi extremists who attacked him at a Jerusalem recruitment fair the previous day, stating, 'I'm not afraid of you.' The attack occurred on Tuesday at the Maslulim fair, which aims to expose Haredi men to IDF service options. Winter, a former IDF commander, had earlier Tuesday evening called for the immediate drafting of the attackers, saying they are 'not Torah scholars,' as The Zioneer reported.
The story unfolded on Tuesday, August 4. At 20:02 Jerusalem, reports emerged of extreme Haredi protesters outside the fair. By 20:05, The Zioneer published multiple accounts: that Winter was met with 'traitor' chants; that protesters specifically shouted 'traitor to the Jewish people' (reported by Eli Hirshman, N12); and that extreme Haredi individuals shouted 'despicable traitor' at Winter. Later Tuesday evening, at 20:05 Jerusalem, Winter issued a statement calling for immediate drafting of the attackers and asserting they are not Torah scholars. On Wednesday, Winter delivered his direct response to the attackers.
The incident is part of broader tensions over Haredi conscription. The Zioneer has reported on previous confrontations, including the Jerusalem Faction mobilizing to block the arrest of a draft evader (June 29) and police using batons at a Haredi demonstration (June 17). Also on Tuesday, protesters from the Jerusalem Faction attacked Haredi attendees at the same IDF exposure event, as The Zioneer reported at 22:12 Jerusalem.
It remains unclear whether police have identified or arrested the attackers. Winter's statement suggests he is not intimidated, but the authorities' response has not been disclosed.
4 developments
- DevelopingExtreme Haredim protest outside IDF service fair in Jerusalem
- DevelopingNew Haredi party leader calls on UTJ, Shas to condemn 'rioters' after IDF event attack
- DevelopingJerusalem Faction protesters attack Haredi attendees at IDF exposure event
- StrongExtreme Haredi protesters chant 'Nazis out,' attack Border Police in Jerusalem
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