Ultra-orthodox Jews chase two female ‘Israeli’ soldiers in riot near Tel Aviv

• Violent Mob Attack: Two ‘Israeli’ female military police officers on a welfare visit were chased and nearly assaulted by hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews in Bnei Brak after a false rumor spread that they were delivering draft orders; the incident escalated into a riot involving property damage and attacks on police.
• National Outrage and Arrests: At least 22 people were arrested following the clash, which required a massive police response including helicopters and undercover officers to extract the soldiers safely amid heightened tensions over Haredi military conscription.

Two female ‘Israeli’ soldiers were chased and nearly assaulted by a mob of hundreds of ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jews in Bnei Brak, east of Tel Aviv, in a dramatic incident captured on video footage that has ignited outrage.

The confrontation escalated into riots involving property damage and attacks on police, leading to 22 arrests as of late afternoon.

The soldiers, who were members of the Military Police conducting a routine welfare visit to the home of a fellow soldier in the predominantly Haredi city, arrived unaccompanied and without prior coordination with local police.

According to Hebrew media reports, a false rumor rapidly spread via the Haredi "Black Line" hotline—used to alert communities to perceived threats—that the women had come to distribute draft orders amid ongoing debates over Haredi military exemptions.

This triggered a swift mobilization: a crowd of hundreds surrounded the soldiers on Haga'i Street, hurling insults like "Nazis!" and "Get out of here!", throwing garbage bins, and attempting to physically assault them.

As the situation intensified, the mob pursued the fleeing soldiers through the streets, with viral videos showing the chaos: protesters overturning a police patrol car and setting an officer's motorcycle ablaze.

One police officer sustained minor injuries during the melee.

‘Israel’ Police, including undercover officers who shielded the women with their bodies, rushed to the scene, deploying stun grenades, mobilizing forces from across the Tel Aviv district under a "regional intensive treatment" protocol, and even using a police helicopter for aerial support.

The soldiers were extracted safely after more than an hour of clashes, though the welfare mission was aborted.

In a personal account shared with Walla News, one of the soldiers recounted her distress: "I asked my commanders not to come to Bnei Brak, and they didn't listen... We had no escort, and suddenly we were surrounded."

Initial reports cited 12 arrests for disturbing the peace and assaulting officers, but the tally rose to 22 by evening as investigations continued.

Police Commissioner Maj. Gen. Danny Levy described the events as a "lawless riot" and vowed, "They crossed all boundaries... We will settle accounts with all those involved. We are a state of law and will not allow thuggish behavior in our country." Forces remained deployed in Bnei Brak into the evening to prevent further unrest.

This clash occurs against the backdrop of heightened tensions over Supreme Court-mandated Haredi conscription, following the January 2026 ruling invalidating exemptions.