Residents Near Military Prison Complain of Disruptions from Ultra-Orthodox Protests Against Draft Arrests

Residents of Kfar Yona reported significant disruptions caused by thousands of ultra-Orthodox protesters near Military Prison 10 on Thursday. The demonstrators, protesting the arrest of two draft dodgers from a Hasidic sect, blocked access roads to the Givat Alonim neighborhood by walking on the streets and preventing vehicle passage. Local resident Riki Maayan described the area as transformed from a quiet neighborhood into one dominated by a military prison, with protesters urinating in the streets and even spitting on bystanders. She criticized the city for allowing protesters to enter through the neighborhood despite promises of designated access points.

Other residents echoed these complaints, noting repeated violations of agreements to avoid passing through the neighborhood, causing blocked entrances and exits. One resident highlighted the frequent disturbances, including public urination, food and drink waste, and general disrespect by protesters, calling on the Defense Ministry, IDF, police, and Knesset to relocate draft dodger detentions away from residential areas such as Kfar Yona to places like Sde Teyman. The ongoing protests have severely impacted residents’ quality of life, with some expressing frustration and a sense of helplessness.

Separately, extremist ultra-Orthodox groups blocked the Geha Junction near Bnei Brak on Thursday afternoon, protesting military conscription and draft dodger arrests. The demonstration caused road closures on Highway 4 and Zabotinsky Street, with protesters sitting on the road to prevent vehicle movement. The protests were linked to arrests of young ultra-Orthodox men refusing army service, including followers of Rabbi Zvi Friedman known as "Hartzpeniks," who share ideological similarities with the extremist Jerusalem Faction.

Later, a separate protest took place outside Military Prison 10 in Beit Lid, led by the Sanz Hasidic sect and its Rebbe, Rabbi Zvi Elimelech Halberstam, following the detention of a young sect member. The Rebbe addressed the crowd, praising the detainee for his commitment to Torah study.

In recent weeks, Kfar Yona has become a focal point for ultra-Orthodox anti-draft protests, severely disrupting residents’ daily lives. While earlier demonstrations were mainly organized by extremist groups like the Jerusalem Faction and Neturei Karta, recent protests have also involved central Hasidic sects such as Vizhnitz, Gur, and Sanz. This escalation coincides with political pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, leading to the rapid passage of a law intended to prevent the arrest of yeshiva students labeled as draft dodgers. However, less than 24 hours after its approval, the Supreme Court issued a temporary injunction suspending the law’s implementation, citing longstanding legal precedents and concerns raised by petitioners against the law’s validity.