Yeshivat Ateret Shlomo in Rishon Lezion (a haredi, or ultra-Orthodox, yeshiva) on Wednesday evening celebrated the early release of a student, Ariel Shamai, who served 15 days in an IDF military prison for refusing to enlist, with a horse-drawn procession through local streets.
This display drew sharp criticism from residents and from Rishon Lezion Mayor Raz Kinstlich.
According to haredi media reports, the yeshiva’s head, Rabbi Shalom Ber Sorotzkin, held a welcoming ceremony for the student, referring to him as an asir olam haTorah (a prisoner of the Torah world).
Videos showed a festive reception on the Ateret Shlomo campus in Rishon Lezion, where a horse-drawn carriage greeted the student.
At the same time, posters around the campus carried the student’s name, “Ariel Shamai,” next to the iconic yellow ribbon and graphics used by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum’s “Bring Them Home” campaign, with the adapted slogans “Bring him back to the yeshiva now” and “Until the last hostage.” The Forum has recently warned Ateret Shlomo against using its symbols in this manner.
A video obtained by The Jerusalem Post shows the horse pulling the carriage while one participant yanks its reins forcefully; the horse then appears to topple and fall to the ground. Local residents voiced anger over the incident and the celebration.
Mayor slams Haredi celebration for draft dodger, animal abuse
Mayor Raz Kinstlich told the Post: “Rishon Lezion is very proud of the high percentage of young men and women from our city who serve in the IDF and national service, which stands at around 94%. The procession that took place this evening in one of our neighborhoods, whose sole purpose was to celebrate the release of a draft dodger who evaded military service, does not match the character and values of our city.
The participants added insult to injury by leading the procession with a helpless horse harnessed to a carriage, and the videos make it clear the animal was in distress. We will show zero tolerance for such behavior. The case is well-known and has been transferred to the police; I am confident that they will ensure the law is fully enforced against those involved.
We will examine what the law allows us, and we will certainly not permit any animal abuse in our city. We invest enormous resources in animal welfare in Rishon Lezion, a cause close to my heart.”
Earlier reporting in Israeli media documented the yeshiva’s recent campaign that mimicked hostage posters to advocate for the student’s release, prompting public criticism and a legal warning from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum over the “cynical” misuse of its symbols.