Protests Threaten Major Israeli Transport Disruptions Thursday

Drivers in central Israel and Jerusalem are being warned of significant traffic disruptions expected on Thursday, October 8. Starting at 4:00 PM, protesters plan to block key highways, potentially causing extensive traffic jams during the evening commute. The demonstrations are being organized by the "Torah World Rescue Committee," an organization linked to radical Haredi groups, and are reportedly being directed by Rabbi Azriel Auerbach.

The protests are a response to the arrest of two yeshiva students who were declared deserters from military service. One student was apprehended in Beersheba and the other in Eilat before being handed over to military police. Organizers intend to obstruct major roads and city entrances, with Highway 4 identified as a route likely to be affected.

The timing of the protests, coinciding with the evening rush hour, is expected to exacerbate traffic problems. These actions occur amid heightened tensions surrounding the conscription of Haredi men into the IDF. Earlier in the week, an attempt by military police to arrest a deserter in Modiin resulted in clashes, with hundreds of protesters surrounding the building and hindering the arrest.

In anticipation of Thursday's planned actions, police are increasing their presence in areas expected to see blockades. Drivers are advised to plan their journeys in advance, monitor traffic conditions, and seek alternative routes if possible. The most severe disruptions are anticipated in the Gush Dan area and Jerusalem during the late afternoon and evening.