Organizers of a planned nationwide car-convoy protest against the arrest of yeshiva students held a final coordination meeting on Tuesday evening ahead of the demonstration, which is scheduled for Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. The event is expected to launch from at least 19 departure points across Israel and head toward a military prison.
The listed launch cities are Elad, Ashdod, Tiberias, Beitar Illit, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Givat Ze’ev, Haifa, Hatzor HaGlilit, Jerusalem, Modi’in Illit, Nof HaGalil, Netanya, Emmanuel, Afula, Arad, Safed, Kiryat Gat and Rehovot. Organizers said the list may still be updated in the coming days.
Those attending the planning session included Jerusalem deputy mayor Tzachi Brim, Yitzhak Bartler, a Vizhnitz representative and adviser to MK Yaakov Tessler, Shimi Blui, a Shlomi Emunim representative and chief of staff for MK Meir Porush, Israel Dranger, a Gur and Central faction representative, and Aharon Frishman, representing Kahal Mechazkei HaDat, the Belz movement. The committee said it finalized the protest’s route, procedures and ground logistics.
Blui told Kikar HaShabbat, “We are in the final stretch. Hundreds of people have already registered, but I do not want to give numbers.” He added that if police create obstacles and do not allow the same freedom of expression granted to other groups, the organizers have backup plans. He also cited the attorney general’s view that no effective protest is possible without some disruption to public order. The organizers are urging the public to join what they call a “historic car convoy against the persecution of Torah scholars.”
