According to reports, dozens of ultra-Orthodox Jewish (Haredi) protesters gathered on Wednesday night outside Justice Sohlberg’s home in the illegal Israeli settlement of Alon Shvut in the occupied West Bank.

The demonstrators were protesting judicial measures aimed at enforcing military service on students who have traditionally avoided conscription.

Local media reported that protesters damaged the judge’s property, smashed windows, vandalized his vehicle, and attempted to enter the house. Police later arrived at the scene and detained several individuals.

Netanyahu described the attack on the judge’s home as unacceptable and said law enforcement agencies must take firm action against those responsible. He later called Justice Sohlberg to check on his well-being.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also condemned the incident, saying such actions have no connection to Jewish values or the teachings of the Torah and that intimidation of judges has no place in a state governed by the rule of law.

The protests come amid growing political tensions in Israel over military conscription. Israel is facing manpower shortages in its armed forces due to ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and other regional fronts.

As a result, the government has been seeking to end long-standing exemptions that allow many ultra-Orthodox Jewish students to avoid compulsory military service.

Justice Sohlberg played a key role in a 2025 court ruling that instructed the government to take effective legal and administrative measures against Haredi draft evaders. The decision intensified political and social divisions over the issue.

Haredi protesters argue that forcing religious students into military service violates their religious freedoms and way of life.

Meanwhile, the government and judicial authorities maintain that military service should apply equally to all citizens and that exemptions for one group undermine the principle of fairness.

The dispute has become one of the most contentious domestic issues in Israel, highlighting the growing divide between secular and religious communities over national service and state responsibilities.