Judicial leniency sparks outrage after mob attacks soldiers, torches police vehicle, injures officers.
The Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court ordered two suspects arrested during Sunday’s violent riots in Bnei Brak to be released to five days of house arrest, despite evidence of assaults on police officers.
Judge Ravit Peleg Bar Dayan ruled that while there was reasonable suspicion linking one suspect to assaulting a police officer, the evidentiary threshold was not high. A second suspect was also deemed reasonably suspected of assault and participating in an unlawful gathering — yet was similarly released.
In parallel, the Bat Yam Juvenile Court released four additional minors to house arrest. By late Sunday night, all 26 individuals detained in connection with the riots had been freed.
Defense Claims “Show Arrests”
Attorneys Shlomo Haddad and Itai Cohen, representing several detainees, criticized law enforcement actions, alleging that many arrests were made merely to create deterrence rather than based on substantial suspicion.
They claimed numerous detainees were bystanders who did not actively participate in violence. Legal proceedings are expected to continue as police review additional evidence.
Riot Sparked by Misunderstanding
The unrest began when two female officers from the Education Corps visited the home of a recruit scheduled to enlist in the coming weeks. A crowd reportedly mistook them for military police arriving to issue draft orders.
As tensions escalated, a mob gathered and attempted to surround the officers. Police units rushed to evacuate them from the scene. During the confrontation, three officers sustained injuries requiring medical treatment.
Following the evacuation, the situation spiraled into full-scale rioting. Protesters overturned a police vehicle and set a police motorcycle ablaze. Authorities reported rocks being hurled at officers.
The burned motorcycle reportedly contained tefillin (phylacteries) and a prayer book — items deeply significant in Jewish religious tradition — intensifying public anger over the destruction.
Police Vow Zero Tolerance
The Police Commissioner instructed forces to act with zero tolerance toward those responsible and to locate individuals involved in the violence.
Security officials emphasized that attacks on law enforcement officers and the destruction of state property cross a red line in a democratic society. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities are reviewing footage and intelligence to determine further action.
The incident has reignited debate about enforcement policy, judicial decisions, and maintaining order in the face of escalating unrest.
