Ultra-Orthodox Newlywed Jailed for 20 Days After Draft-Evasion Arrest at Wedding Celebration

Ultra-Orthodox yeshiva student Yaari Lieberman was taken into custody by IDF Military Police in front of his wife on Sunday, just days after his wedding, as the couple traveled to a family celebration marking their marriage.

He was transferred to a military prison and handed a 20-day sentence by a military court, drawing sharp criticism from senior ultra-Orthodox politicians who called for his immediate release.

The incident is expected to spark violent demonstrations in the coming days.

The arrest occurred as the newlyweds disembarked from a bus en route to a Sheva Brachot celebration, a traditional festive meal held in honor of Jewish couples during the week following their wedding.

According to reports, the Military Police officers at the scene were dressed in civilian clothing and were not wearing identification badges.

The officers reportedly tracked Lieberman via his cellphone’s location. It was also alleged that they failed to identify themselves as Military Police to his wife, leaving her to fear that her husband had been kidnapped.

Lieberman was removed from the scene and transferred to a military prison.

Goldknopf Blames Netanyahu for Yeshiva Student’s Arrest

Yitzhak Goldknopf, chairman of Agudat Yisrael and a Knesset member, strongly condemned the arrest, holding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for the predicament facing yeshiva students.

“Arresting a young groom before his bride during the Sheva Brachot celebrations marks a new low in the campaign against Torah scholars,” Goldknopf said.

“The relentless pursuit of yeshiva students, whose sole ‘offense’ is Torah study, has crossed every line of decency and sensitivity. This shameful arrest is a disgrace to the Jewish state. I demand the groom’s immediate release.”

Goldknopf also criticized Netanyahu for failing to fulfill his promise to advance legislation regulating the status of yeshiva students.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu has failed to keep his promise to pass legislation regulating the status of yeshiva students, and the result is the disgraceful arrests we are witnessing. Responsibility for this situation rests on his shoulders,” he said.

Yaakov Asher, chairman of United Torah Judaism and a Knesset member, also appealed to the defense minister on Sunday, demanding intervention to secure Lieberman’s immediate release.

“This is neither a totalitarian state nor a police state. Arresting a son-in-law in the midst of his happiest days is an outrage without bounds. I demanded that the Defense Minister act to secure his immediate release and return him to his family and his joy,” Asher said.

Yinon Azoulay, chairman of Shas and a Knesset member, also signed an urgent petition calling on the defense minister to secure the immediate release of the newlywed yeshiva student.

Prior Arrest Attempt Blocked by Protesters

Sunday’s arrest was not the first time Military Police sought to detain Lieberman.

On October 6, Military Police arrived at his parents’ home in Modi’in to arrest him, but encountered resistance from protesters gathered outside the residence.

Crowds gathered near the house and demonstrated against the attempted arrest. After roughly two hours, protesters reportedly succeeded in preventing Lieberman from being taken into custody.

Escalation Feared as Ultra-Orthodox Opposition to IDF Draft Intensifies

Lieberman’s arrest is expected to trigger violent demonstrations in the coming days, amid mounting opposition within the ultra-Orthodox community to arresting yeshiva students as part of mandatory IDF conscription enforcement.

The incident occurs amid the ongoing controversy over the military conscription of ultra-Orthodox men and the lack of legislation regulating the military service status of yeshiva students.

While the defense establishment continues to enforce mandatory conscription, representatives of the ultra-Orthodox parties are demanding legislation that would regulate the status of yeshiva students and prevent further arrests.

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