Ultra-Orthodox Protesters Plan to Block Geha Road Over Draft Evasion Arrest

Today at 5 p.m., ultra-Orthodox protesters are expected to block Geha Road or Zabotinsky Street near Bnei Brak in central Israel to protest the arrest of a draft evader. The demonstration is organized by the "Hartzafnikim," students of Rabbi Zvi Friedman, who have vowed to protest every arrest of an ultra-Orthodox draft evader.

The protest follows the detention of Israel Gohfi, a yeshiva student from Bnei Brak, who was stopped by police in Haifa due to a malfunction with his Rav-Kav transit card. Upon discovering he was a draft evader, he was handed over to the military police and taken to a military prison. Gohfi had recently transferred to a yeshiva in Kfar Hasidim and was on his way to Rekhasim when arrested.

The organization "Am Kadosh," which assists draft evaders, reported the incident and described it as a "kidnapping" of the Torah scholar. The protesters typically block the roads around 5 p.m. for about two and a half hours. The exact location and time of today's protest have not been officially confirmed but are expected to follow this pattern.

This event highlights ongoing tensions between the ultra-Orthodox community and Israeli authorities over military conscription enforcement.