Ultra-Orthodox Protests Disrupt Traffic Across Israel Over Draft Evasion Arrests

Massive ultra-Orthodox protests erupted across Israel on Sunday afternoon, causing significant traffic disruptions and road closures, including the main entrance to Jerusalem. The demonstrations are a response to the Israeli military's recent resumption of efforts to arrest draft-dodging Haredim, following a two-month lull. Protesters blocked major highways, including Highway 4 in both directions, leading to severe congestion throughout the central region and approaches to the capital. In Jerusalem, demonstrations took place at the Chords Bridge, with clashes reported between protesters and drivers. One incident involved a driver hitting teenagers who were blocking his path. The light rail service in Jerusalem was also affected, with lines operating on a split or shortened schedule due to blocked tracks near the central bus station. The protests, organized by the Jerusalem Faction of the ultra-Orthodox community, were announced to take place in Gush Dan and Jerusalem starting around 4 PM. The military police had attempted to arrest draft dodgers overnight in various locations, but in several instances, large crowds of protesters gathered, preventing the arrests. Similar incidents occurred in Bat Yam and Dimona, where military police forces left without making arrests due to the presence of demonstrators. The escalation follows a confrontation earlier in the week in Modi'in, where hundreds of Haredim surrounded military police attempting to arrest a draft dodger, leading to an agreement for the soldiers to leave without making the arrest.

The protests are expected to involve a broad spectrum of the Jerusalem Faction, indicating a unified stance against the renewed arrest campaign. Authorities are preparing for additional protest hotspots in Gush Dan and Jerusalem.