Kicks, Curses and Spitting: Disorder at Conference on Haredi IDF Tracks | Footage

Dozens of extremist protesters arrived on Tuesday evening at a venue on Yaffo Street in Jerusalem, where a conference was being held to introduce Haredi youth to IDF service tracks. Information regarding the event's location was circulated through anti-draft channels, which called on supporters to disrupt the meeting.

During the protest, demonstrators blocked the organizers' van, spat at it, and kicked one of the participants. Former Major General (res.) Ofer Winter, who spoke at the conference, faced hostility from the crowd. One protester followed him, shouting, "You are touching the Torah! Heretic! You have no part in Judaism." In response, Winter retorted, "You don't either," prompting further accusations of being a traitor to the Jewish people.

Messages distributed within protest groups labeled the event an "apostasy fair" and referred to the IDF as an "army of destruction." Protest organizers called for a struggle against the "terrible decree" of the draft and vowed to continue their actions.

Police officers attempting to disperse the crowd and secure access to the conference were met with shouts of "Nazis" and "murderers." One protester involved in the clashes was arrested.

Ofer Winter commented on the incident:

"I had the privilege of speaking this evening before dozens of young men from the Haredi public who are interested in meaningful service. This is wonderful youth, representing a significant part of the community. I am sorry that a delusional handful of extremists, who do not represent the Haredi public, are trying to cause harm. They will not deter my efforts to integrate the Haredi public into the IDF. Extremists must be dealt with firmly, without harming the world of Torah. I respect those who study Torah, but those who chased me clearly do not belong to that world."