Former Supreme Court President Justice Esther Hayut issued an extraordinary public statement over the weekend following a violent disturbance by dozens of ultra-Orthodox protesters outside the home of Deputy Supreme Court President Noam Sohlberg in the settlement of Alon Shvut. In her statement, Hayut condemned what she described as a “thuggish riot” and warned that Israel is sliding toward the brink of anarchy.
Hayut said the incident was part of a broader pattern of calls by extremist groups to take action against judges and law enforcement officials, including officers of the Israel Police and the Military Police. “This riot, together with other grave and exceptional incidents unfolding before our eyes, constitutes an ongoing assault on the foundations of our democratic system, foremost among them the rule of law,” the former chief justice wrote.
She added a stark warning: “In light of this accumulation of events, I have found it necessary to sound the alarm. Alongside the complex security reality with which we confront our enemies on a daily basis, we are sliding toward the brink of anarchy within our own society. At this dangerous crossroads, I believe it is incumbent upon all of us to stop, regain our bearings, and return to conduct that is rational, principled and responsible, because the very future of our society is at stake.”
On Wednesday evening, in protest of a High Court ruling on the military conscription of ultra-Orthodox men, dozens of protesters arrived outside Sohlberg’s home. The rioters allegedly hurled a heavy object, shattering the windows of the house and the windshield of the judge’s vehicle, and smashed pots and planters at the entrance.
Large police forces called to the scene intercepted the bus on which the demonstrators attempted to leave and detained dozens of suspects. According to reports, the number of arrests ranged from approximately 50 to more than 70 people. During the unrest, Israeli flags bearing swastikas were reportedly distributed among some of the protesters who vandalized the property.
The judge’s wife, Meira Sohlberg, expressed profound shock in the aftermath of the attack. “We are the children of Holocaust survivors, and this is how Jews harm one another. How can this be? How can this be?” she said. “Look at this destruction — a pogrom. What is this, Kristallnacht? How is this possible?”
The protest outside Sohlberg’s home was organized and premeditated. The activists responsible for the vandalism belong to Anshei Chayil (“Men of Valor”), a radical faction affiliated with the ultra-Orthodox Edah HaChareidis, which requires its members to participate in demonstrations at least once a week.
According to reports, members of the group monitored Justice Sohlberg for an extended period and visited the vicinity of his home on at least two occasions to gather intelligence and assess the presence of security cameras, while evading police detection. Law enforcement authorities had not prepared for a demonstration at the site.
In the aftermath of the incident, dozens of judges reportedly expressed concern to court administrators, warning: “We fear that this could reach our homes and our families as well. We fear that last night’s events will make judicial work more difficult and undermine the administration of justice.”
The disturbances were the latest in a series of protests staged this week by the Jerusalem Faction, an ultra-Orthodox group demonstrating against the arrest of draft evaders. The protests included demonstrations in Jerusalem and Netivot, as well as activists descending onto railway tracks near Ganot Junction, causing major disruptions to rail services connecting Ben Gurion Airport, Jerusalem, Modiin and Beersheba.
The violence drew widespread condemnation from across Israel’s political leadership.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Justice Sohlberg and stated that “law enforcement authorities must pursue the rioters to the fullest extent of the law.”
President Isaac Herzog also contacted the judge, declaring: “Incitement, threats and attacks on a judge’s home in Israel are not legitimate protest — they constitute the crossing of a dangerous red line. Those who seek to intimidate the judiciary are harming not only an individual, but the very foundations of Israeli democracy. No matter how profound the disagreement, it cannot be allowed to descend into violence and intimidation.”
