Ultra-Orthodox Faction Plans Major Protests Across Israel Over Draft Evasion Arrests

The Jerusalem Faction, an ultra-Orthodox group, is preparing for widespread protests on Thursday in Jerusalem and the Gush Dan region, protesting recent arrests of draft-evading yeshiva students and scholars. The demonstrations, scheduled to begin at 4:00 PM, are expected to involve blocking major roads and causing significant traffic disruptions. This protest is anticipated to be considerably larger than previous demonstrations by the faction. While typically a sub-faction known as the "Hartzpanikim," associated with Rabbi Tzvi Friedman, leads road blockades, this time the call to protest has been directed at the entire Jerusalem Faction.

In the Jerusalem area, blockades and disruptions are expected at the city entrance, near the Chords Bridge, at the Shari Israel junction, and on Bar Ilan Street. Possible disruptions to the light rail service are also anticipated. In the Gush Dan and central region, heavy traffic congestion is expected on Highway 4, particularly around Bnei Brak, the Geha junction, and the Ginot interchange, as well as on Highways 1 and 6.

The decision to protest stems from the recent arrests of yeshiva students and kollel scholars. The Committee for the Salvation of the Torah World announced on Wednesday that Rabbi Azriel Auerbach, a leader of the Jerusalem Faction, ordered "mega-protests across the country" against what was described as the "desecration of the honor of the Torah and its learners."

The protests are also fueled by an incident earlier in the week in Modi'in, where over 1,500 ultra-Orthodox individuals gathered at a building where military police were attempting to arrest a draft evader. Protesters blocked the forces' exit, and some entered the building and a residential apartment. Following this event, the faction activated "Tzeva Shahor" (Black Color), an emergency alert system designed to rapidly mobilize protesters to locations where draft evaders are being apprehended.