Mainstream Haredi leadership rejects mob extremism, backs law enforcement against violent agitators.
Shas MK Yinon Azoulay delivered a forceful denunciation of the violent unrest in Bnei Brak, declaring unequivocally that those responsible “are not from our camp.”
In remarks to Kol Chai radio, Azoulay said the scenes left him ashamed. “There is no Torah opinion that permits striking a person — soldier or civilian. Someone comes to do their job. This is a serious desecration of God’s name,” he stated.
Clear Line Between Protest and Violence
Azoulay stressed that peaceful protest is legitimate in a democratic society, but violence is a red line.
“Protesting is fine. But there is no permission to hit drivers, police officers, or innocent civilians,” he said.
He attributed the escalation to extremist agitators seeking to sow division within the Haredi community, claiming that recordings of rabbis were being manipulated for political gain.
Personal Pain and Call for Balance
The MK revealed that even his own son was attacked by extremists in Ashdod, describing it as evidence of a broader educational problem. He condemned celebratory behavior toward those detained for violence, calling such actions deeply troubling.
At the same time, Azoulay urged law enforcement to act with precision:
- Arrest and imprison those who assaulted soldiers or set fires.
- Avoid sweeping arrests of bystanders, elderly residents, and women uninvolved in unrest.
National Consensus Against Extremism
Azoulay emphasized that leading rabbis categorically reject violence and that extremist factions do not represent the broader Haredi public. His remarks reinforce a growing cross-party consensus that attacks on Israel Defense Forces personnel cross an unacceptable boundary.
“My greatest pain,” he concluded, “is the desecration of God’s name.”
Israel’s leadership continues to draw a firm distinction between lawful protest and criminal aggression, underscoring that unity and respect for soldiers remain foundational principles of the state.
