Ultra-Orthodox protest escalates on Route 4, police officer injured and evacuated

A police detective was injured on Wednesday during an operation to clear an illegal ultra-Orthodox protest that had blocked Route 4 near Bnei Brak. Police said the officers faced violent resistance from demonstrators who shut down traffic and refused to follow instructions. During the removal of a protester who was blocking the road with his body, another demonstrator came from behind and attacked the female detective, pulling her hard and causing an injury. She was evacuated for medical treatment.

The suspect, a 26-year-old from Bnei Brak, was arrested at the scene and, after questioning, was ordered detained. On Thursday morning, the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court extended his detention by one more day. Police said the protest was against the arrest of draft evaders.

Dozens of ultra-Orthodox protesters, identified as part of an extremist faction within the Jerusalem Faction, gathered near the entrance to Bnei Brak and tried to block traffic during the morning rush hour. Route 4 was closed in both directions between the Ma'aleh HaMoshavot and Aluf Sade junctions, and officers directed drivers to alternate routes.

The clashes intensified as police worked to remove the protesters, and at one stage officers used stun grenades in an attempt to clear the road. By the end of the incident, five protesters had been arrested and two others were lightly wounded and taken to Beilinson Hospital. Police also came under scrutiny after Deputy Superintendent Yuval Shavit, commander of the Bnei Brak-Ramat Gan station, was filmed dragging a protester.