Haredi Protests Erupt Early With Roadblocks Over Draft Evasion
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
Haredi protesters, part of the "Hertzpenikim" faction, launched surprise road blockades across central Israel on Sunday, disrupting traffic and clashing with police. The demonstrations, which began earlier than planned, are a response to the arrest and imprisonment of two yeshiva students for draft evasion. Police are working to clear the roads, while reservist organizations have condemned the protests as disgraceful. The "Hertzpenikim" are known for their activist approach to protesting draft policies.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Haredi protesters from the "Hertzpenikim" faction initiated surprise road blockades across central Israel on Sunday.
- The protests are a response to the arrest and 20-day military prison sentence of two yeshiva students for draft evasion.
- Road 4 was blocked near Gan Yavne, with further disruptions expected in Bnei Brak and other key areas.
- Police are managing the situation, redirecting traffic and working to reopen blocked roads.
- Reservist organizations have strongly condemned the protests, calling them a disgrace and disruptive.
- The "Hertzpenikim" faction is known for its activist and uncompromising approach to protesting draft policies.
Protests by members of the Haredi community against the conscription of yeshiva students escalated on Sunday, with the "Hertzpenikim" faction, led by Rabbi Tzvi Friedman, initiating surprise road blockades in central Israel and the Gush Dan region. The demonstrations, originally planned for the afternoon, were moved up to the morning to catch security forces off guard. Road 4 was already blocked near the Gan Yavne interchange, with significant traffic disruptions expected throughout the day in areas including Bnei Brak and the Geha junction.
The protests were triggered by the arrest and 20-day military prison sentence of two yeshiva students in Rishon LeZion for failing to report for military service. One of the detainees, Yedidya Mizrahi, a student at the "Ohr HaChaim" yeshiva, is part of the group protesting what they perceive as a deliberate targeting of yeshiva students. The faction aims to pressure military authorities through these disruptive actions.
The "Hertzpenikim" are known as the most activist wing of the Jerusalem Faction, often employing uncompromising tactics like surprise protests and road closures to exert pressure. Expected blockade points include Road 4 near Bnei Brak, the Geha junction, Ganot interchange, and access roads to Giv'at Shmuel.
Police reported that illegal protests were ongoing at the Yavne interchange, with participants blocking the road in both directions. Officers were redirecting traffic and working to reopen the road. The police stated they permit protests within legal boundaries but will not tolerate disturbances or infringements on freedom of movement.
In parallel, reservist organizations sharply criticized the protests. In a joint statement, several religious-nationalist reservist groups condemned the actions, calling the blockades a disgrace and expressing frustration over the disruption to their return to civilian life after extensive reserve duty. They urged the next government to address the issue of draft evasion and ensure that those who manage the country also serve it.
Earlier reports mentioned that dozens of Haredim from a specific segment of the Lithuanian Haredi community had previously blocked Road 4, leading to confrontations with police using stun grenades. This incident had prompted the National Security Minister to order a significant reduction in the use of stun grenades by the police.
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