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Dr. Valerie Shoshan, the chief medical officer of the Israel Police and the mother of a soldier who was killed in Gaza, was rescued by police officers Monday evening after protesters surrounded her vehicle during anti-draft demonstrations in Yerushalayim.

According to video footage from the scene, demonstrators encircled Dr. Shoshan’s car, shook it violently, and attempted to reach her while she remained inside. Police forces quickly intervened and extracted her from the area before the confrontation escalated further.

Reports indicated that Dr. Shoshan is the mother of Reserve Staff Sergeant Elisaf Shoshan Hy”d, who was killed during combat operations in Gaza in December 2023 at the age of 23.

The attack drew widespread condemnation, particularly in light of her senior position within the police force and the tremendous personal sacrifice her family made during the war.

The incident took place amid a series of anti-draft protests that erupted across the country on Monday, resulting in major traffic disruptions, clashes with police, and the closure of key transportation routes.

At approximately 5:00 p.m., demonstrators arrived near the Ganot Interchange and blocked Route 4 in both directions. Police officers worked to clear the roadway after protesters allegedly ignored instructions to disperse. A police commander on the scene declared the gathering an unlawful demonstration before crowd-control measures were employed.

Meanwhile, protesters also blocked the entrance to Yerushalayim near the Chords Bridge, and later shut down sections of Begin Boulevard. Demonstrators obstructed traffic lanes, vehicles, and portions of the light rail route, causing significant transportation delays throughout the capital.

Additional protest activity was reported in Tzfas, Pisgat Ze’ev, and several locations in southern Israel. In Pisgat Ze’ev, dozens of demonstrators gathered near the home of Traffic Division Commander ניצב Chaim Shmueli. Police used stun grenades to disperse the crowd. Similar road blockages were reported elsewhere in the country.

During the unrest, a pedestrian was struck by a motorcycle near the demonstration on Route 4 close to the Ganot Interchange. Magen David Adom emergency personnel treated the victim before transporting him to Sheba Medical Center. The man, approximately 25 years old, was reported to be in serious condition but conscious, suffering injuries to his head and limbs.

{Matzav.com}

Anti-draft demonstrations expanded across Israel on Monday, bringing widespread traffic disruptions, road closures, and clashes with police. While the protests were sparked by opposition to the arrest of yeshiva bochurim classified as draft evaders, much of the demonstrators’ anger was directed at the police, whom they accuse of playing an increasingly active role in enforcing the arrests.

Large-scale protests were reported at numerous locations throughout the country, including central Israel, Yerushalayim, the north, and the south. Demonstrators blocked major roads and transportation routes, creating significant delays and forcing police to deploy substantial forces to restore order.

A short time before publication, protesters gathered near the Ganot Interchange and shut down Route 4 in both directions. Police officers attempted to clear the roadway after demonstrators allegedly refused orders to disperse. A police commander at the scene declared the gathering an unlawful protest before crowd-control measures were employed.

At the same time, protesters blocked the entrance to Yerushalayim near the Chords Bridge. Later, portions of Begin Boulevard were also closed. Demonstrators sat and stood on the roadways, obstructed traffic, and blocked sections of the light rail route, leading to major transportation disruptions throughout the city.

Additional demonstrations took place in Tzfas, Pisgat Ze’ev, and southern Israel. In Pisgat Ze’ev, dozens of protesters gathered near the residence of Traffic Division Commander ניצב Chaim Shmueli. Police used stun grenades in an effort to disperse the crowd.

Leaders and activists affiliated with the Yerushalmi faction directed much of their criticism at Shmueli. According to their claims, he significantly expanded upon the police commissioner’s directive requiring traffic officers to detain individuals classified as draft evaders until Military Police personnel arrive. Protest organizers alleged that what was initially intended as a limited enforcement measure has evolved into an aggressive policy targeting bnei yeshiva.

Sources associated with the faction claimed that Shmueli has been particularly eager to increase arrests and argued that police are no longer merely maintaining public order but have become active participants in the military effort against yeshiva bochurim.

Road blockages were also reported in southern Israel. Netivei Israel announced that the Netivot Junction on Route 25 had been closed to traffic. Police said an unlawful protest was taking place there and that officers from the Netivot station, Southern District personnel, and Border Police units were preparing to disperse demonstrators and reopen the roads.

Throughout the protests, demonstrators chanted “We will die and not enlist.” Footage from multiple locations showed protesters arriving by bus and disembarking at blocked intersections. Large numbers of police officers remained deployed at several sites, but the demonstrations continued into the evening, with disruptions affecting major transportation corridors.

{matzav.com}

A growing standoff between Israel’s police leadership and the chareidi community intensified Monday night as the Forum of Chareidi Mayors reportedly refused to meet with Police Commissioner Dani Levy, insisting that no discussions will take place until authorities halt the arrests of yeshiva bochurim classified as draft evaders.

The development comes amid rising tensions and escalating protests across chareidi communities throughout the country. According to a report by Yoeli Brim on Channel 13 News, the police commissioner’s efforts to open a dialogue with municipal leaders were met with an unequivocal rejection.

The report stated that representatives of the police commissioner reached out over the past day to arrange official meetings with heads of chareidi municipalities. The purpose was to ease tensions on the ground and preserve ongoing cooperation between local authorities and law enforcement in the wake of the widespread anti-draft demonstrations that have disrupted transportation routes and other locations around Israel.

Despite those efforts, chareidi municipal leaders reportedly refused to participate in any meetings and set a clear condition for renewing contact with the police. Sources familiar with the discussions said the Forum of Chareidi Mayors informed police officials that no meetings, coordination channels, or cooperative discussions would be held as long as arrests of yeshiva bochurim deemed draft evaders continue.

The demand places the mayors in direct opposition to existing legal directives requiring police to transfer such detainees to military authorities.

Earlier in the day, Beitar Illit Mayor Meir Rubinstein, who also serves as chairman of the Forum of Chareidi Local Authorities, sent a letter to Commissioner Levy announcing that chareidi municipalities would suspend cooperation with the police under current circumstances.

“We are aware of the severe consequences of such a decision, but if the police have decided to cooperate with the irresponsible conduct of the Attorney General, then the responsibility rests on your shoulders.”

The confrontation follows the continued detention of chareidi draft evaders by police officers acting under instructions issued by the Attorney General’s office, which directs law enforcement to transfer such individuals to the Military Police. Those arrests prompted the sharp response from Rubinstein and other municipal leaders.

In a joint letter to the police commissioner, the mayors and heads of local councils explained their position in strong terms.

“We are turning to you, with great sorrow and deep pain, regarding the steps we are now taking, in order to clarify the situation into which you have placed us with the continued arrests of Torah learners.”

The letter accused police of targeting bnei yeshiva and damaging relations with the chareidi public.

“The current situation, in which the police have become an enemy of the chareidi sector and are carrying out a hunt for yeshiva students in city streets and on highways, does not allow us, unfortunately, to continue municipal cooperation with the police.”

The municipal leaders went on to announce a broad range of measures that could be implemented if the situation remains unchanged.

“Accordingly, we intend to announce the cessation of cooperation between the authorities and the Israel Police, including the cancellation of all existing agreements, including the allocation of municipal buildings for police stations, the cancellation of community policing, the cancellation and freezing of all existing cooperative programs—including City Without Violence, welfare initiatives, and other important projects. And above all, a declaration by the rabbonim prohibiting any connection between the police and the leadership of the sector.”

{Matzav.com}