Three men were arrested after they took part in a mob attack on Maj.-Gen. David Zini as he ate in a restaurant in Bnei Brak late Thursday night.
In a video that surfaced on social media, dozens of young haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men could be heard shouting insults at Zini, calling out “murderer” and “shame on you.”
Zini, who has been overseeing the establishment of the 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 extremists arrived at the location and verbally abused him, forcing him to leave.
A police force intervened and escorted him to his vehicle.
IDF, Government condemns attack
“The Chief of Staff supports and reinforces the important work of Maj.-Gen. 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.”
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.”
Defense Minister Israel Katz added on X that “this is a severe crossing of a redline. 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 KAN News 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 that “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.”
This is not the first violent incident against Zini in Bnei Brak. Last July, he was in the city with an associate to discuss the launch of the brigade with a local rabbi. When he and his associate left the meeting, dozens of extremists gathered around them, shouting insults until the police were forced to rescue them from the area.