A video that surfaced on social media on Thursday appeared to show Major-General David Zini being verbally abused by extremist haredim in Bnei Brak.
Dozens of young men could be heard shouting insults at him, calling "murderer," and "shame on you."
The Israel Police reported that three suspects aged 19-24, residents of Bnei Brak, were arrested on suspicion of assaulting two IDF officers in the city overnight.
They were transferred for questioning are set to be brought on Friday before the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court for a hearing.
Maj.-Gen. Zini, who has been overseeing the establishment new IDF infantry Hashmonaim Brigade in recent months, arrived with several of his associates for a meal at a restaurant on the outskirts of Bnei Brak.
האלוף דוד זיני, שמקדם את גיוס החרדים לצה"ל, הותקף הלילה בבני ברק על ידי המון קיצוני לאחר שזוהה במסעדה בעיר. לפי התיעודים הוא חולץ על ידי המשטרה@AnnaPines_ pic.twitter.com/sn832JhQsW
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) January 10, 2025
Rumor of his presence in the area spread quickly, and dozens of young extremist arrived at the location and verbally abused him, forcing him to leave.
A police force intervened and escorted him to his vehicle.
"The Chief of Staff supports and reinforces the important work of Major General David Zini in recruiting members of the Haredi community," the military said in a statement following the incident.
"The IDF condemns and views with severity any violent behavior toward its personnel, who work day and night for the security of the state and its citizens," the statement further read.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack in a post on X/Twitter.
"This is a violent, dangerous, and disgraceful act that has no place in a law-abiding state," he wrote.
"I demand an immediate, swift, and thorough investigation that will lead to the prosecution of the rioters and ensure they are held accountable. We will fight any manifestation of violence with zero tolerance," the statement further read.
"This is a severe crossing of a red line," Defense Minister Israel Katz wrote in a post on X. "Any harm to IDF commanders and soldiers, who dedicate their lives for the security of the state, will not be tolerated in any way, and the authorities must act to bring the rioters to justice."
Interior Minister and Shas MK Moshe Arbel was cited as saying by Israel's public broadcaster, KAN, that the assault on Zini "by a mob of uneducated and uncivilized individuals does not represent the values upon which thousands" of Torah learners "are raised."
Former defense minister Yoav Gallant commented on the incident, noting, "the attackers must be held accountable."
He urged "the leaders of the haredi community to condemn this act and work toward recruiting the haredi population into the IDF."
Previous incident
This is not the first violent incident against Maj.-Gen. Zini in Bnei Brak. Last July, he was in the city with an associate to discuss the launch of the brigade with a rabbi the city.
When he and his associate left the meeting, dozens of extremists gathered around them, shouted insults at them until the police were forced to rescue them from the area.