Police Search for Truck Driver Who Rammed Journalist Yaki Adamkar During Ultra-Orthodox Protest

Jerusalem District Police said they would try on Thursday to locate the Arab truck driver accused of deliberately ramming journalist and panelist Yaki Adamkar on Route 1 during an ultra-Orthodox “car protest” that disrupted major roads in response to the arrest of yeshiva students. The protest, which began around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, involved hundreds of vehicles driving slowly and blocking key routes, including Route 1 and Route 6, on the way to demonstrate near “Kela 10.”

Adamkar, who appears on “The Patriots,” said on X that the driver came at him with an iron bar and threatened to kill him and other motorists. He wrote that the truck had struck his car on purpose a minute earlier, that the driver refused to provide details, spat repeatedly at people, and threw water at other drivers. In another post, he said, “So many such incidents on Route 1 and the police are not there. Nothing.”

During the night, police arrested two Jewish suspects on suspicion that they drew weapons toward ultra-Orthodox protesters during the demonstration. They are being held at the Harel police station. A third suspect, also Jewish and a resident of Rishon LeZion, was arrested after being filmed violently beating protesters at the end of the protest. He asked to be taken for medical treatment before questioning and is expected to return to the station later on Thursday.

The protest and the clashes marked an escalation in the ultra-Orthodox struggle against military conscription, with road blockages turning into dangerous physical confrontations.