Jerusalem Shut Down, Clashes Erupt Near Bnei Brak as Haredi Protesters Block Roads
Massive traffic jams, chants of 'Nazis', and blocked highways as ultra-Orthodox protests erupt over yeshiva student arrests
Twitter
Major protests broke out across central Israel on Wednesday afternoon as thousands of members from the Jerusalem Faction and the Edah HaChareidis took to the streets following the arrest of three ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students for refusing to enlist in the IDF.
Demonstrations were reported in multiple hotspots, including the entrance to Jerusalem and Highway 4 near Bnei Brak, with significant roadblocks and clashes between protesters and police.
In Bnei Brak, protesters blocked traffic and shouted slogans including “Nazis” and “terrorists” at police officers. According to law enforcement, the demonstration was declared illegal, and Highway 4 was shut down in both directions at key interchanges.
Tensions Rise in Jerusalem
In Jerusalem, large crowds gathered at the city's entrance and at Kikar HaShabbat, blocking both inbound and outbound traffic. Police forces were deployed to the area and began dispersal operations and rerouting vehicles.
Israel Police issued a statement reaffirming the right to protest but emphasized that they “will not tolerate violations of public order or threats to public safety.”
The demonstrations follow yesterday's dramatic arrest of three yeshiva students in Yehud during a protest against alleged grave desecration. Police later discovered that the young men were classified as draft dodgers, and they were subsequently handed over to military police.
One of the detainees is reportedly the grandson of a prominent Hasidic Rebbe.