Bnei Brak Riots: Soldiers Rescued, Protests Erupt Amid Draft Debate
Bnei Brak, Israel – Two female Israeli soldiers were rescued by police after being chased by a crowd of ultra-Orthodox Jewish men in Bnei Brak on Sunday, February 15, 2026, sparking a wave of unrest and protests across Israel. The incident has reignited the contentious debate surrounding military conscription for ultra-Orthodox men.
Incident in Bnei Brak
Footage from Bnei Brak, a city east of Tel Aviv and a center of Haredi Judaism, showed the soldiers running through streets as police formed a protective barrier. Riot police used stun grenades to disperse the crowd and arrested 23 people, according to police statements. Over 20 arrests were made in connection with the incident.
The soldiers were reportedly visiting another soldier when they were confronted by the mob, who mistakenly believed they were attempting to deliver army conscription orders. Military service is mandatory for most Jewish Israelis, but ultra-Orthodox Jews have historically been exempt. Recent moves to reform this exemption have fueled outrage within the community.
Arrests and Releases
Police initially arrested 26 suspects following the riots, which similarly involved minor injuries to five police officers, an overturned patrol car, and a burned police motorcycle. However, most of the detainees were released on Sunday night. By Monday afternoon, all suspects had been released, with the final seven placed under house arrest following court hearings in Tel Aviv and Bat Yam. A lawyer representing the detained suspects claimed there was “no evidence” to support the accusations, characterizing the arrests as a “show for the media.”
Protests Spread to Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh
The unrest extended beyond Bnei Brak, with hundreds of Haredi anti-conscription demonstrators briefly blocking traffic at the entrance to Jerusalem and on Route 38 near Beit Shemesh on Monday afternoon. Police dispersed the demonstrators, who had been sitting on the pavement, bringing traffic to a standstill.
Dispute Over IDF’s Intent
A dispute arose between the police and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) regarding the purpose of the soldiers’ presence in Bnei Brak. Police claimed the IDF sent the soldiers to encourage enlistment among young Haredi men, while the IDF maintained they were simply visiting a draftee. The police’s Dan Precinct chief, Elad Klein, suggested the IDF should have informed police of their intentions to avoid the confrontation. The IDF refuted these allegations, stating the soldiers were delivering an information pamphlet to a draftee ahead of his enlistment.
Political Response
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the incident as “unacceptable,” stating, “This is an extreme minority that does not represent the entire Haredi community.” He affirmed that the government would not tolerate anarchy or harm to security forces. Jewish religious leaders also condemned the actions of those involved in the unrest.
Bnei Brak: A Profile
Bnei Brak, founded in 1924, is a city located on the central Mediterranean coastal plain of Israel. As of 2023, it has a population of 223,785, making it one of the most densely populated cities in Israel and the seventh-most densely populated city in the world. The city is a major center of Haredi Judaism.