Organizers of a planned nationwide car convoy protest against the arrests of yeshiva students met on Monday evening for a final coordination session ahead of the demonstration, scheduled for Wednesday at 4 p.m. The event is being organized as a mass convoy of vehicles heading toward the military prison.
So far, 19 departure points have been set across Israel, with convoys expected to leave from Elad, Ashdod, Tiberias, Beitar Illit, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Givat Ze'ev, Haifa, Hazor HaGlilit, Jerusalem, Modi'in Illit, Nof HaGalil, Netanya, Emmanuel, Afula, Arad, Safed, Kiryat Gat and Rehovot. Organizers said the list may still be expanded in the coming days.
The coordination meeting included Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Tzachi Barim, Shimi Blui, a Shlomi Emunim representative and adviser to MK Meir Porush, Aharon Frishman, a representative of the Belz Hasidic court and adviser to Deputy Minister Yisrael Eichler, and Hanoch Dranger, a representative of the Gur Hasidic court.
Blui told Kikar HaShabbat that the protest is in its final stretch and that hundreds have already registered, though he would not give exact numbers. He warned that if police place obstacles in the way and do not allow the same freedom of expression granted to other groups, organizers have backup plans. He also cited the attorney general’s position that effective protest can involve some disruption to public order. Organizers are urging the public to join what they call a historic vehicle demonstration against the persecution of Torah students.
