Jerusalem – An extremist haredi man was indicted on Thursday by the Nazareth Magistrate’s Court for attempting to attack head of the IDF Manpower Directorate Maj.-Gen. Moti Almoz and issuing threats against him.
According to the indictment, Jerusalem resident Moshe Iraam, 40, traveled to Moshav Kfar Tavor in the Lower Galilee where Almoz lives on May 5 and accosted Almoz outside the synagogue after the Friday night prayer service.
Iraam spat at Almoz and hurled abuse at him based on Iraam’s opposition to drafting haredi men into the IDF. He also accused Almoz of “torturing” because IDF regulations allow women soldiers to be put in military prison.
Iraam, together with another individual, stayed in Kfar Tavor for three days to harass Almoz close to the synagogue where he prays and threaten violence against him.
Later in May, several dozen haredi extremists descended on Almoz’s private residence and protested against the enlistment of haredi men, although the indictment did not mention Iraam in connection with these events.
The protesters distributed fliers comparing Almoz to Hitler and military service to Auschwitz.
“Moti Almoz, head of the Manpower Directorate, who sells his soul for money: How long will you burn the souls of the sons and daughters of Israel in the crematorium of Auschwitz – the army of destruction,” the flier read.
“Know that there is justice and there is a judge. Your end will be bitter like Hitler and his friends.”
Haredi extremists have been conducting a fierce campaign of incitement and aggression towards haredi men who enlist in the IDF and those who recruit them over the last four years, a campaign which has increased in intensity in recent months.