Ultra-Orthodox Protesters Block Roads in Jerusalem and Bnei Brak Over Draft Evasion
Translated & summarized from Channel 9 by baba
Yeshiva students protested forced military conscription by blocking major roads in Jerusalem and Bnei Brak on Tuesday afternoon, causing traffic jams. Police dispersed the demonstrators, using batons and stun grenades in some instances. The protests were organized by the radical "Peleg Yerushalmi" group, and not all ultra-Orthodox Jews supported the actions.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yeshiva students protested forced military conscription by blocking roads in Jerusalem and Bnei Brak.
- The protests occurred on Tuesday afternoon during peak traffic hours.
- Police dispersed demonstrators using batons and stun grenades.
- The radical "Peleg Yerushalmi" group organized the demonstrations.
- Not all ultra-Orthodox Jews supported the protest actions.
Planned demonstrations by yeshiva students protesting forced conscription into the army began Tuesday afternoon, primarily in Jerusalem and Bnei Brak. The students gathered at key transportation hubs, blocking roads during peak hours and causing significant traffic congestion. Major protest sites included Highway 4 between Ramat Gan and Bnei Brak, and the main entrance to Jerusalem via Highway 1.
Police quickly declared the gatherings illegal and began dispersing the protesters, who were described as wearing black suits. Due to legal advice against arresting individuals solely for non-violent protest and the perceived lack of consequences for the yeshiva students, police employed alternative methods, including batons, to manage the situation. The confrontations resulted in a back-and-forth struggle, with police clearing roads only for protesters to re-block them.
The demonstrations were organized by the radical wing of Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox Jews, known as "Peleg Yerushalmi." The article notes that not all ultra-Orthodox individuals support these actions, as evidenced by footage showing confrontations between protesters and drivers, including a Haredi soldier who was surrounded by demonstrators. In response to the situation, police used stun grenades to extract the soldier.
