A serious violent clash broke out Wednesday on Route 1 during an ultra-Orthodox vehicle convoy protest against the enlistment of yeshiva students. According to the report, a passenger in a passing car first broke the side mirror of one of the protest vehicles, then got out and forcefully slammed a car door on the demonstrators.
The act enraged people at the scene, and a furious crowd gathered around the driver and began beating him in the middle of the highway. Police were called to the scene, separated the sides, dispersed the gathering, and took statements from those present. The investigation is being handled by the Ma'ale Adumim Border Police in the Mateh Yehuda area.
Earlier in the day, thousands of ultra-Orthodox drivers joined protest convoys from dozens of locations across Israel, demanding the release of yeshiva students detained for draft evasion. The convoys headed toward Prison 10, intending to create major traffic jams on central roads. By the latest update, the road blockages had ended.
Security forces said that at several locations protesters were seen leaving their vehicles and walking on traffic lanes, endangering themselves and other road users. Police said, "The Israel Police calls on the protest organizers and participants to act responsibly, stick to the arrangements that were agreed upon, and act in a way that does not harm the freedom of movement of road users and does not endanger their safety."
