Rabbi Moshe Havlin
Rabbi Moshe HavlinCourtesy of Nikudim

Vandals attacked the home of the Chief Rabbi of Kiryat Gat, Rabbi Moshe Havlin, Wednesday night, resulting in the hospitalization of Rabbi Havlin’s wife.

The attackers are believed to be affiliated with the radical haredi anti-Zionist Neturei Karta movement.

Rabbi Havlin, a member of the Chabad Hasidic community, was targeted by the vandals because of his support for a recently negotiated agreement between Chabad yeshivas and the IDF.

As part of the arrangement, 85% of Chabad students will be drafted, while 15% will receive exemptions to study and work as emissaries.

Those not receiving exemptions will also receive a two-year deferral to allow them to study at the ‘Kevutzah’ school in 770, the Chabad headquarters in Brooklyn.

Haredi draft opponents blasted the arrangement, and on Wednesday night a group of anti-Zionist demonstrators confronted Rabbi Havlin at his home in Kiryat Gat.

According to witnesses, a dozen or so draft law opponents broke into the Havlin family home and began shouting loudly, cursing the rabbi, and breaking furniture.

Rabbi Havlin and his wife attempted to chase the attackers out, but were unable to do so. The rabbi’s wife ultimately suffered a medical episode as a result of the incident, and was hospitalized.

Police arrested three of the demonstrators and are conducting an investigation into the incident.