Police on Tuesday 13 Kislev are calling to extend the remand of thirteen persons who took part in a violent protest on Monday night outside the home of the Chief Rabbi of Kiryat Gat, Rabbi Moshe Havlin Shlita.

Police describe the detainees as “A small bunch of law-breakers who take advantage of our democracy to attack a public official. We will use the full extent of the law against them”.

Rav Havlin has been the target of protests by extremists who do not see eye-to-eye with the agreement reached between Chabad rabbonim and the IDF. Among those whom has spoken out against those threatening Rav Havlin is Chief Rabbi Dovid Lau Shlita and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

As the latest protest got out of hand, a large number of police were dispatched to the rav’s home to protect him. A total of about 40 people were detained for disturbing the peace and taking part in an unlawful protest. Some protestors will also face charges for damaging property for they threw stones at vehicles and signs.

Among those in detention are two minors, one 8 and the second 12. As of Tuesday morning they have refused to identify themselves for police. Police have tried to have rabbonim intercede but at the time of this report, the two have yet to identify themselves. The others are residents of Beit Shemesh and Jerusalem ranging in age from 18-36. The driver of the bus who drove them to the scene was also questioned by police and may face charges of conspiring to assist the others in law-breaking activities. He was questioned and released with the condition he remains out of Kiryat Malachi for 15 days. It remains unclear if the bus was released.

This marks a new precedent, as police are now holding a driver responsible for bringing protestors to the area.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)