Agudat Yisrael is preparing a car convoy protest to Prison 10 on Wednesday against the arrests of draft evaders, an action organizers say could disrupt traffic nationwide. Registration opened on Monday, and organizers say nearly 1,000 drivers have already signed up for the demonstration, which they say will run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and is still open to more participants.
The protest will begin from 19 launch points in cities across Israel, including Jerusalem, Elad, Ashdod, Tiberias, Beitar Illit, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Givat Ze'ev, Haifa, Hatzor HaGelilit, Modi'in Illit, Nof HaGalil, Netanya, Arad, Safed, Kiryat Gat and Rehovot. Organizers say the event is coordinated with police. Drivers are expected to leave with signs and posters opposing the arrests, drive slowly to intentionally burden traffic, and when they reach Kfar Yona, circle the military base that houses Prison 10 with honking before returning to their starting points.
Police sources said the effort is to regulate the event like any other protest, but if no agreement is reached and the convoy lacks approval, traffic tickets will be issued for obstruction. Earlier Tuesday, ultra-Orthodox extremists briefly blocked Route 6 near the Alonit gas station after reports that a draft evader had been detained by police.
The protest is being promoted in major ultra-Orthodox outlets, including HaModia of the Gur Hasidic movement and HaPeles of the more extreme Jerusalem Faction, and supporters were also urged to join through Belz Hasidic updates. Campaign posters use the slogan, "Enough! There is no way without the way of the Torah," and describe the event as a show of solidarity with Torah students and "prisoners of the Torah world."
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also addressed a separate clash with police during a previous ultra-Orthodox disturbance near Bnei Brak last week. In a letter to Police Commissioner Danny Levi, he said footage appearing to show officers throwing stun grenades contrary to procedure, using excessive force and humiliating civilians required a thorough investigation and possible disciplinary action. Ben Gvir said he may seek to permanently remove officers and commanders involved, including the commander of the Bnei Brak-Ramat Gan station, and said he will hold an urgent meeting with relevant officials this week.
