Netanyahu condemns Charedi rioters over attack on Supreme Court justice's home

Pictures from the scene showed shattered windows, broken flowerpots and a car with a smashed windshield. Israeli flags bearing a swastika in place of the Star of David were also left behind by anti-Zionist rioters.

A Magen David Adom medical team was called to the Sohlberg home after the justice reported feeling unwell, according to Ynet. Sohlberg and his wife were both home at the time of the incident.

"A Jew taking a stone and throwing it at another Jew's home is something tragic, intolerable and incomprehensible," Meira Sohlberg told reporters following the attack, which she labelled a “pogrom”

"There is always a minority that carries out severe provocations. We are not afraid, but we are saddened. It would be good if people lowered the flames – from every direction, every side and every sector. We cannot fight one another when we have so many enemies around us. Disagreement is fine, but destruction? How is that possible?"

Similar condemnation has also come from the Supreme Court’s president Isaac Amit in a joint letter with Judge Tzahi Ouziel, director of the Court’s Office, which read: “The serious acts of violence directed at the deputy president [of the court] and his family are, in effect, an attack on the entire judicial system and on the rule of law in the State of Israel.

"Attempts to exert pressure on, intimidate, or deter judges will not affect the performance of their duties. Israel’s judges will continue to carry out their work professionally, independently, and without fear, in accordance with the law and their duty to the public.”

However, Shas and Degel HaTorah Charedi factions subsequently issued a joint statement saying they were "pained and shocked by the ongoing persecution and trampling of Torah students by Supreme Court justices”.

"We warned that these measures would lead to radicalisation and anarchy and, unfortunately, we are seeing those fears materialise," the parties said, while emphasising that violence is "contrary to the Torah and completely unacceptable".

Israel's coalition government in March moved to pass the 2026 state budget without a contentious draft exemption law, which was temporarily shelved.

"We are now putting aside controversial issues that are not suitable for wartime," said Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, citing both the legislation that would exempt Haredi yeshiva students from IDF service as well as several unspecified proposed reforms.

The enlistment bill that was under consideration reflected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's attempt to forge a compromise with his Charedi political partners.

However, in April, the Supreme Court, sitting as the High Court of Justice, ordered the government to take a series of measures against draft dodgers, in response to petitions accusing the state of contempt of court for failing to enforce existing conscription laws.

The decision came in the wake of a November ruling ordering the state to formulate sanctions to enforce military conscription, stressing that state benefits should not be granted to those evading service.

Israel's strictly-Orthodox sector generally considers national service a distraction from Torah study and a threat to their way of life. However, October 7 and the ensuing Gaza War have heightened demands by the general public that Haredim contribute to the Jewish nation's defence.

Between 63,000 and 66,000 young Charedi men studying in yeshivot are legally required to serve. Since October 7, more than 1,000 Haredim have voluntarily enlisted, and a similar number have volunteered for civilian national service.