Mass Orthodox protest convoy planned from 19 cities amid draft exemption dispute

Orthodox hardline groups are preparing for a large-scale protest convoy set to begin Thursday around 4:00 p.m., aimed at disrupting major roads across Israel over the demand to legitimize draft exemption. Agudat Israel said it released a “battle map” showing 19 departure points nationwide, from Safed in the north to Arad in the south, and said thousands of vehicle owners had already joined what it called a historic convoy.

The organizers said the caravans will converge on main highways for a show of force under the slogan “Enough” and warned that “the voices of support will be heard beyond the walls of Prison 10.” In parallel with the road protests, they plan a massive convoy to military prisons, saying the campaign titled “Enough, there is no way without the Torah way” is meant to express broad public backing for those they call “prisoners of Torah.”

The full list of departure cities includes Elad, Ashdod, Tiberias, Beitar Illit, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Givat Ze’ev, Haifa, Hatzor HaGlilit, Jerusalem, Modiin Illit, Nof HaGalil, Netanya, Emmanuel, Afula, Arad, Safed, Kiryat Gat and Rehovot. The protest is being organized by Agudat Israel, with participants also expected from the Jerusalem Faction, who will follow the organizers’ instructions.

The action comes one week after a previous major protest, when dozens of hardline Orthodox demonstrators blocked Route 4 and clashed with police and motorists. That earlier blockade began at 8:30 a.m. near the Ghaa interchange by Bnei Brak, in protest at the arrest of a draft evader sentenced to 14 days in prison. The clashes included mounted police, batons and stun grenades, and footage showed officers dragging protesters on the road and tearing their pants. Haredi lawmakers criticized the police, while Shas chairman Aryeh Deri attacked National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, saying, “Itamar Ben Gvir, wake up,” and accusing police of treating Torah students as criminals.