Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon (Likud) slammed on Tuesday haredi extremists in Ashdod who early this morning overturned a police car and attacked officers coming to detain suspected IDF draft-dodgers.
"The violent attack in Ashdod against IDF soldiers who came to perform their task and the police who were called to assist them is intolerable and a strong hand is required against the rioters," he declared.
"We must not be tolerant toward a minority of extremist lawbreakers," Ya'alon charged. "Those who raise a hand against IDF soldiers - or use violence in general - must be severely punished."
"I expect the heads of the haredi community to condemn the violent incident, which absolutely negates the trend of integration of young haredim into the army and into the workforce - in a way which allows them to contribute both to haredi society and to the State of Israel."
The incident began when IDF soldiers came to Ashdod to arrest a haredi youth who was skipping his military draft without permission.
As they were carrying out their duty, a group of extremists surrounded the soldiers' vehicles, spat at them and yelled epithets. They even succeeded in overturning a military vehicle.
A large police force rescued the soldiers and dispersed the crowd. As they were doing so, though, several patrol cars were hit with rocks.
"We are taking the event very seriously. We will use all necessary means to find those involved and bring them to justice," said an official police statement.