Full Breakdown
Protests Erupt Over Autopsies of Infants from Overcrowded Daycare in Jerusalem
1/20/2026, 7:02:26 AM
Incident Overview: Deaths and Protests
On January 19, 2026, hundreds of ultra-Orthodox extremists clashed with police in Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh in response to the planned autopsies of two infants, Leah Goloventzitz and Aharon Katz, who died at an unlicensed daycare center in the Romema neighborhood. The State Prosecutor’s Office sought autopsies to determine the cause of death, suspecting heat exhaustion and dehydration due to a faulty heating system in the overcrowded facility. The daycare, operating illegally out of several adjacent apartments, was found to house 55 children, many of whom were exhibiting respiratory distress.
Background: The Daycare's Conditions
Emergency services were alerted when Leah Goloventzitz was found unresponsive, followed by Aharon Katz, who was also in critical condition. Both were pronounced dead upon arrival at local hospitals. Reports indicated that the daycare had been operating for approximately 30 years without proper licensing, with conditions described as dangerously overcrowded, including children found in closets and on bathroom floors. The National Council for the Child has called for an investigation into the daycare's operations and licensing.
Community Response: Protests and Clashes
The protests were incited by a directive from Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch, head of the Edah Haredit community, urging followers to oppose the autopsies. Demonstrators blocked roads, burned garbage bins, and clashed with police, who responded with water cannons and stun grenades. Police reported that three caregivers from the daycare were detained for questioning, and later, the daycare's owner was also arrested as part of the ongoing investigation.
Criticism of State Policies
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Haredi leaders, including Aryeh Deri of the Shas party, attributed the incident to state policies that have pressured the ultra-Orthodox community, particularly regarding military conscription. Deri emphasized the need for introspection within the community while condemning the operation of unlicensed daycares. The ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party echoed these sentiments, blaming cuts to daycare subsidies for exacerbating overcrowding in unlicensed facilities.
Official Statements & Responses
The Israel Police stated that the protests were illegal and posed a danger to public safety. They emphasized the need to restore order in the area. Meanwhile, the attorney for the daycare manager expressed cooperation with the investigation, asserting that the manager had no prior knowledge of the conditions leading to the tragedy.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the police and prosecutors have focused on the autopsies to determine the cause of death, the initial external examinations did not yield conclusive results. There are also differing opinions within the community regarding the responsibility for the incident, with some attributing it to state actions against the ultra-Orthodox population.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Who can say, ‘Our hands did not shed this blood’?” — Aryeh Deri, Chairman of Shas
- “The blood of innocent babies, children who have not yet tasted sin, cries out from the ground,” — Moshe Arbel, Shas MK
The situation remains tense as further protests are planned, and investigations continue into the daycare's operations and the tragic deaths of the two infants.
