Haredi protest in Jerusalem
Photo: TPS
Radical Haredi sect threaten to disrupt airport activities
In yet another attempt to resist mandatory conscription and secure the release of IDF draft dodgers, Haredi 'Jerusalem faction' threatens to stage protest marches during busiest periods of the year near Ben Gurion Airport; 'We recommend you arrive earlier to the airport or change your flight.'
The ‘Jerusalem faction’ of the Lithuanian Orthodox Haredi sect threatened Sunday to cause major disruptions in the Ben Gurion Airport, in yet another measure to resist the mandatory conscription of its adherents into the IDF.
The extreme minority faction, whose methods are largely rejected by the mainstream Haredi community, announced intentions to intensify tactics to counter the arrest of yeshiva students who refuse to draft into the military.
Part of their reinvigorated strategy, they said, will include staging mass protests near the airport during the busiest periods in the year, which could threaten to delay people arriving at the airport and cause them to miss their flights.
Haredi protest in Jerusalem (Photo: TPS)
Publishing what was labelled an “Important Notice,” the “Committee to Save the World of Torah”—the organization which has orchestrated the most recent rallies—explained that it intended to convey its message to the world.
“In light of the escalation and the harassment by the regime of prisoners of the Torah world, it has been decided to widen the demonstration in order to reach the ears of the entire world,” the announcement declared.
“As part of the activities that are intended to send a message to the nations of the world, a mass protest march will take place in the area of the airport, before the eyes of foreign tourists who arrive in Israel and and go back to their countries. Signs will be carried in English and other languages.”
The announcement also stated that “out of consideration for the travelling public, the committee will notify shortly the days on which the demonstrations will take place in order to enable them to prepare for the disruptions.
Photo: Ofer Meir
“It is recommended to those who are about to fly to follow and stay updated via notices that will be publicized in the coming days so that they can change the day of the flight or, alternatively, arrive earlier at the airport by a few hours.”
The demonstration planners warned against police action against the march, threatening that should the activists face state opposition, they would cease prior warnings for the public.
“Should these prior notices, which are intended for the benefit of the public, be met with hostile deployment which disturb and prevent the protest march, we will be forced to stage the demonstration on different days without advance notice.”
Last week, police arrested 31 ultra-Orthodox rioters during the day Monday and overnight in protests in Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh against the detainment of Haredi draft-dodgers and IDF deserters.
(Translated and edited by Alexander J. Apfel)
