Dozens of haredim attacked enforcers assigned with finding deserters from the IDF in Ashdod early this morning (Tuesday).

The searchers came to the neighborhood in order to arrest a haredi youth who was skipping his military draft without permission. As they were carrying out their duty, rioters surrounded the soldiers’ vehicles 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.