Police urge drivers to postpone nonessential travel amid expected major traffic disruptions

The Jerusalem Faction announced a large protest for today, Thursday, in extensive areas of central Israel, following the arrest of yeshiva deserters. Last night, the faction issued an evacuation warning to residents of the Shfela and warned of the expected demonstrations in the area. For now, the protests are planned to take place only in central Israel, with the large demonstration expected to begin at 5:00 p.m. It was reported that buses will depart from Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Ashdod, Bnei Brak, Modi'in Illit, Elad and Ahisamakh. The congestion is expected to worsen in the evening, ahead of three major concerts scheduled to take place at the same time: Omer Adam at Ramat Gan Stadium at 8:15 p.m., Eyal Golan at Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv at 8:00 p.m., and a performance by Ben Tzur at Petah Tikva Stadium at 8:00 p.m. About 80,000 people are expected to attend the concerts. Chief Superintendent Amir Givli, commander of the National Traffic Police, said, “The Israel Police Traffic Division is prepared with reinforced forces and a broad deployment, in light of the expected increase in major events and protests today in the central region.” He called on drivers in Gush Dan to avoid, as much as possible, traveling on intercity roads and to postpone nonessential trips to another time.

Hundreds of Haredim took to the streets last night in protests across the country following the police’s intention, according to the organizers, to hand over 19 yeshiva students classified as deserters to the military authorities. The main protest was held in the area of the Russian Compound in Jerusalem, where demonstrators tried to prevent the detainees from being removed from the detention facility. Clashes broke out there with police forces, which acted to disperse the protest using a water cannon, mounted police and stun grenades. At the same time, protests were also held outside the Abu Kabir detention facility, which was blocked for about three hours, and outside the Hadarim Prison in the Sharon. Route 4 southbound, at the entrance to Tel Mond, was also blocked to traffic.