Ultra-Orthodox Protests Disrupt Major Israeli Highways

Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators are expected to block key Israeli highways, including Routes 1 and 4, on Thursday, causing significant traffic disruptions. The protests are a response to the recent arrests of two draft-dodging Haredi men and previous attempts by military police to apprehend others.

In recent incidents, military police were forced to withdraw from both Bat Yam and Modi'in without making arrests after confronting hundreds of protesters. In Bat Yam on Thursday morning, protesters surrounded military police at a residence, leading to their departure without the target. A similar event occurred in Modi'in earlier in the week, where hundreds of demonstrators surrounded soldiers in an apartment, preventing an arrest until police reinforcements arrived.

Rabbi Azriel Auerbach, a prominent figure, has called for "massive protests" across the country in response to the detentions of yeshiva students and Haredi men. The "Jerusalem Faction" of the ultra-Orthodox community is reportedly organizing these demonstrations, which are expected to occur during peak traffic hours.

While specific protest locations have not been officially announced, authorities anticipate significant blockades at the entrance to Jerusalem and along Route 4. Past protests of this nature have lasted several hours and resulted in severe traffic jams. The protests stem from the perceived persecution of Torah scholars by the military authorities, according to a statement from the Committee for the Salvation of the World of Torah.