Ultra-Orthodox Leaders to Head Convoy Protest Against Arrests of Yeshiva Students

Representatives of United Torah Judaism and Agudat Yisrael are leading a mass car convoy protest on Wednesday, starting at 4:00 p.m. from 19 locations across Israel. Each MK is assigned to head a different city’s convoy, with party leaders saying the protest is against the arrest of yeshiva students and for “the honor of Torah.” The rally is being organized under the banner “Until Here,” and a new clip was released to accompany it.

Among the figures at the front of the convoys, UTJ chairman MK Yitzhak Goldknopf will lead the Jerusalem departure from the Schneller parking lot. MK Rabbi Meir Porush and Deputy Minister Israel Eichler will head the convoy from the Har HaMenuchot parking lot in Jerusalem. In Ashdod, MK Yaakov Tessler will lead from the point near Park Ad Halom, while former MK Moshe Shimon Roth will head the convoy from Bnei Brak, near Hazon Ish Street by the water tower.

The protest is expected to include thousands of vehicles and is unfolding amid what organizers call an unprecedented wave of arrests of yeshiva students. They say the shared drive is meant to unite participants and broadcast a public cry against the arrests. A special police planning meeting was held on Tuesday, and authorities approved the operating plan and coordination with the organizers.

Senior Traffic Division officer Chief Superintendent Roi Amichai said police prepared extensively but do not expect road closures. “There are no roadblocks,” he said, adding that the focus is on Routes 1, 4 and 6. He said an agreement was reached for participants to drive in the right lane, while other motorists can continue in the left lane. Police also said driving at 50 km/h is allowed as long as traffic is not disrupted. The convoys are expected to continue for several hours toward Prison 10 at Beit Lid.