Radical Haredim Block Major Roads During Rush Hour
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
Radical Haredim blocked major roads in Ra'anana and Kfar Saba on Wednesday during rush hour, causing traffic disruptions. Protests have become frequent in recent months, often related to draft evasion issues. Earlier this week, similar demonstrations closed Highway 4, and protests in Jerusalem affected the light rail and city access. The Supreme Court has temporarily frozen a law that would cancel arrest warrants for draft dodgers.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Radical Haredim blocked Highway 402 and Highway 4 in central Israel on Wednesday.
- The protests occurred during rush hour, causing significant traffic disruptions.
- Similar demonstrations by the Jerusalem Faction have become common in recent months.
- Protests are linked to the issue of draft evasion within the Haredi community.
- The Supreme Court has frozen a law canceling arrest warrants for draft dodgers.
Radical Haredim resumed their protests on Wednesday, blocking major roads in Ra'anana and Kfar Saba during peak traffic hours. Israel's National Roads Authority reported that Highway 402 was closed in both directions at the Kfar Saba junction. Highway 4 was also closed in both directions between the Ra'anana North and Ra'anana South interchanges, though it has since reopened. Police stated that an illegal demonstration near the Kfar Saba police station involved rioters blocking the road in both directions. Earlier in the week, similar protests by the Jerusalem Faction of Haredim caused significant traffic disruptions, including a more than hour-long closure of Highway 4 near the Yavne interchange. These protests have become a regular occurrence in recent months, often announced in advance. Approximately 1.5 weeks ago, the Jerusalem Faction held large demonstrations in Jerusalem and the Gush Dan area, leading to the closure of Highway 4 in both directions, the Jerusalem light rail, and the entrance to Jerusalem via the Chords Bridge. The protests are reportedly linked to the issue of draft evasion within the Haredi community. A law to cancel arrest warrants for draft dodgers passed the Knesset two months ago, but the Supreme Court issued an interim order freezing it due to four petitions filed against it.
