Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned an “extreme minority” after two female IDF soldiers were rescued from riots in an ultra-Orthodox Israeli city.
Video footage from Bnei Brak, just east of Tel Aviv, shows the two soldiers being hurried away by police as thousands of ultra-Orthodox men run after them.
In a post on X, the Israeli prime minister said: “I strongly condemn the violent riots in Bnei Brak against female IDF soldiers and Israel police officers.
“This is an extreme minority that does not represent the entire haredi community.
“This is a grave and unacceptable matter.”
“We will not allow anarchy,” the post continued, “and we will not tolerate any harm to IDF servicemen and security forces who carry out their duties with dedication and determination.”
Many in the ultra-Orthodox community in Bnei Brak have staged frequent protests amid anger over proposed laws that may force them to serve in the Israeli military.
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At least 22 people were arrested on Sunday as protesters set police motorcycles on fire, overturned a police vehicle and attacked officers, authorities said.
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Roughly 1.3 million ultra-Orthodox Jews make up about 13% of Israel‘s population. They oppose enlistment because they believe studying full-time in religious seminaries is their most important duty.
The broad exemptions from mandatory military service have reopened a deep divide in Israel, especially during the war in Gaza.
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It comes as hospitals in the Gaza Strip said at least 11 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the enclave in the last 24 hours.
Airstrikes in Gaza kill 11 people, locals say, as Israel claims Hamas violated ceasefire
The dead included five men in their 20s, who were killed in an Israeli strike in Khan Younis, according to Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies.
The Israeli military said it had carried out multiple strikes in response to several ceasefire violations near the Yellow Line, which separates Israeli-controlled areas from the rest of Gaza.
