Dozens of ultra-Orthodox rioters attempted to break into the home of Supreme Court Deputy President Noam Sohlberg in Alon Shvut, breaking windows, damaging the entrance, vandalizing the yard, and smashing a vehicle’s windshield. The incident was reported as a response to the advancement of legislation on ultra-Orthodox military draft exemptions and Supreme Court demands to enforce conscription.
Police detained dozens of suspects on a bus they were allegedly using to leave the scene and later transferred them to a police station for questioning.
According to reports in the ultra-Orthodox press, factions such as the “Jerusalem faction” and groups in Mea Shearim denied any connection to the rioters.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the incident, saying: “I strongly condemn the violent riot against Justice Noam Sohlberg. Law enforcement authorities must fully enforce the law against the rioters.”
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office added that Netanyahu spoke with the Deputy President of the Supreme Court, asked about his wellbeing, and reiterated his condemnation of the attackers.
Chairman of Yitzhak Goldknopf and the United Torah Judaism party said: “Alongside full support for Torah scholars whose honor and status are being trampled by the current government and who are expressing their pain, I condemn violence, which has no place in our community, is contrary to Torah values, and harms the just struggle to save the world of Torah.”
The parties Shas and Degel HaTorah issued a joint statement: “We are pained and shocked by the ongoing campaign of persecution and trampling of Torah students by Supreme Court justices. We warned repeatedly that these steps would lead to radicalization and anarchy, and unfortunately we are now seeing these fears materialize. We strongly condemn any act of violence, of any kind. Violence is contrary to the path of Torah and is utterly unacceptable. However, we demand that leaders of right-wing parties, who were quick, and rightly so, to condemn the incident, also condemn the ongoing, harsh persecution of Torah learners and yeshiva students. The blood of Torah students is not forfeit.”
Justice Minister Yariv Levin also condemned the rioters, but at the same time accused Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. He said: “The severe violence at the home of Deputy Supreme Court President Noam Sohlberg is serious and worthy of full condemnation. I hope that this time law enforcement authorities will fulfill their duty to enforce the law and eradicate violence. Those who said there is no effective protest without disrupting public order, and who gave legitimacy to severe violence and refusal by left-wing protesters, also bear direct responsibility for the current wave of violence. I stand with Deputy President Sohlberg and his family during this difficult time, and I call on everyone to refrain from any violence, which has no place and cannot be accepted.”
President Isaac Herzog spoke with Justice Noam Sohlberg following the incident. He said: “Incitement, threats, and harm to a judge’s home in Israel are not protest—they are a dangerous red line being crossed. Anyone attempting to intimidate the judicial system is harming not only an individual, but the very foundations of Israeli democracy. Deep disagreement, however intense, cannot turn into violence and intimidation.”
Herzog added: “I call on everyone: stop before this becomes a disaster. Condemnation of violence is essential and must be universal, across all sides and above all political dispute.”
The judicial authority said it views the violent demonstration with great severity. “This is a serious and unacceptable incident, which crosses the boundaries of legitimate protest in an attempt to harm the sense of security of judicial officeholders and their families. The judicial authority will not hesitate to use all means at its disposal, in cooperation with law enforcement and security agencies, to ensure the safety and security of judges. Attempts to exert pressure, intimidate, or threaten judges will not affect the performance of their duties. Israeli judges will continue to carry out their work professionally, independently, and without fear, in accordance with the law and their duty to the public.”
Opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote on X: “A criminal government humiliates a Supreme Court justice in the Knesset, a group of lawless draft-dodgers attacks a Supreme Court justice at his home. There is no police, no law, not even anyone to complain to. Until there is a different government here, there will be no repair for the people of Israel.”
