Most avreichim are still unaware of just how serious the current situation in Eretz Yisrael is regarding their status and the IDF. The abolition of the Tal Law has left them without a legal umbrella and as far as Defense Minister Ehud Barak and the IDF are concerned, the avreichim are AWOL, absent without official leave from the IDF.

Military police visited Bnei Brak during the night, the eve of 18 Elul 5772. One of the parents whose home was visited told Ladaat.net that their son decided to go to the induction center to begin the process of receiving a medical discharge due to his medical issues. They report he was treated most inappropriately and ridiculed by IDF personnel.

They explain that after he was checked by a physician in the induction center, he was instructed to follow up with another physical with a civilian physician, receiving an appointment in six weeks. Despite being in the evaluation process of induction, the military police appeared at their home nevertheless, arriving at 03:30.

The parents explain the military policemen explained they should instruct their son to get dressed and accompany them to avoid having to take him forcibly. The young did just that and he was taken by police, only to be released the following evening.

In another case, the family heard “loud knocks at the door at 02:00. We could not understand what was taking place at this hour. The voices at the door said ‘military police’. We stood frozen at the door, not knowing what was going on”.

The mother explained that he was not present. They began a search of the premises. His sister phoned him and he said he would head home, which he did, only to be arrested upon his arrival.

There are increasing reports of military police doing their job, following orders, appearing at the homes of chareidim in a number of cities in Yerushalayim.

In one case in the Nachlaot area of the capital last week, military police appeared at the home of one avreich at about 05:00 and politely searched the home until they were satisfied that the young avreich was not at home. They left. In the Har Nof area, a number of talmidim were arrested.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)