Ultra-Orthodox Protest Halts Traffic in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox protesters blocked major roads in Jerusalem and the Gush Dan area on Thursday, causing severe traffic jams for over two hours. The demonstrations, organized by the Jerusalem Faction, were a response to the renewed arrests of draft dodgers. Police used crowd dispersal methods, including stun grenades, to clear the roads, resulting in some confrontations. While most protesters dispersed by 6 p.m., only three arrests were made. Opposition politicians criticized the government's handling of the situation and the issue of draft evasion.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox protesters blocked major roads in Jerusalem and Gush Dan on Thursday, causing severe traffic.
- The protests were a response to the renewed arrests of draft-dodging yeshiva students by the IDF.
- Police used stun grenades, mounted officers, and batons to disperse the demonstrators.
- Some protesters chanted "We will die and not enlist" and called police "Nazis."
- Only three protesters were arrested despite widespread road blockages and confrontations.
- Opposition politicians criticized the government for prioritizing draft dodgers over serving citizens.
Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox protesters demonstrated on Thursday afternoon in Gush Dan and Jerusalem, causing severe traffic disruptions starting around 3 p.m., an hour before the planned protests against the renewed arrests of draft dodgers. Major roads, including Highway 4 and the entrance to Jerusalem at the Chords Bridge, were blocked. In Jerusalem, traffic was also disrupted on Bar Ilan Street and the light rail service experienced delays. The protests lasted for about two hours, with roads clearing around 6 p.m.
Police attempted to disperse protesters in Jerusalem using stun grenades, mounted police, and batons. During the dispersal efforts, one officer was filmed throwing a stun grenade improperly, and a taxi driver was seen threatening protesters with a club. A water cannon vehicle was also deployed on Bar Ilan Street. In response to the police actions, some protesters chanted "We will die and not enlist" and called officers "Nazis."
On Highway 4 near Bnei Brak, police also used mounted officers to clear protesters who had blocked the road. Some protesters remained on the road for over an hour after the main dispersal began, with one protester claiming demonstrators had "won" against the police. Despite confrontations, only three protesters were arrested on suspicion of assaulting police officers.
The protests were organized by the Jerusalem Faction, a group within the ultra-Orthodox community, in response to the IDF's decision to resume arrests of draft dodgers after a two-month hiatus. The IDF had previously acknowledged not proactively arresting draft-eligible Haredi men. The protests also coincided with an attempt by some members of the faction to disrupt an election rally by Shas chairman Arie Deri in Modi'in Illit.
Political figures from the opposition criticized the government over the protests. Avigdor Lieberman of Yisrael Beiteinu vowed that those blocking roads would be jailed, while Gadi Eisenkot of "Yash!" stated that the current government prioritizes draft dodgers over serving citizens.
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