Police Move To Extend Detention of 62 Suspects in Riot Outside Justice Sohlberg’s Home
By The Media Line Staff
Police are seeking to extend the detention of 62 suspects arrested during a violent riot outside the home of High Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, after demonstrators protesting the military draft of ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students vandalized the property and clashed with authorities.
The suspects are scheduled to appear before the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court on Thursday morning, where police will request that they remain in custody pending further investigation.
According to police, 65 people were arrested following the disturbances. Walla reported that 62 remained in detention and would be brought before a judge.
The unrest unfolded Wednesday night when large numbers of protesters arrived at Sohlberg’s home in the West Bank settlement of Alon Shvut. During the riot, windows of the justice’s home and vehicle were smashed, and flower pots at the entrance to the property were destroyed.
Ynet reported that police confiscated drones and GoPro cameras found in the possession of some of the suspects.
The protest was linked to opposition among some ultra-Orthodox activists to Supreme Court decisions concerning military conscription. Sohlberg recently presided over rulings requiring the government to strengthen enforcement measures against draft evasion, making him a target of protesters opposed to the enlistment of yeshiva students.
After the crowd dispersed, Magen David Adom personnel were called to the residence after Sohlberg reportedly felt unwell.
His wife, Meira Sohlberg, expressed shock at the damage caused during the riot.
“How is it possible that Jews are hurting each other?” she said. “Look at this destruction, a pogrom, what is this, Kristallnacht?” according to Ynet.
Police Commissioner Danny Levy condemned the violence and instructed officers to pursue those responsible “to the fullest extent of the law.” Police said Levy was briefed by Jerusalem District Deputy Commander Yishai Shalem and stressed that legitimate protest cannot include violence, vandalism or attacks on public officials.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later spoke with Sohlberg and condemned the attack.
United Torah Judaism chairman MK Yitzhak Goldknopf and Shas MK Yinon Azoulai also denounced the violence.
Later, dozens of ultra-Orthodox protesters blocked Jerusalem’s Kikar Shabbat junction to protest the arrests.
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