Jerusalem Faction Protests Halt Traffic on Major Israeli Highway

Police are warning of significant traffic disruptions on Highway 4 near Bnei Brak on Thursday afternoon and evening due to a planned protest by members of the Jerusalem Faction. The highway will be closed in both directions between the Aluf Sadeh and Ema HaMoshavot interchanges starting at 3:00 PM. Authorities anticipate heavy congestion, including on Jabotinsky Road, a major urban artery often used as an alternate route. Police have deployed officers to manage traffic and maintain public order, advising the public to avoid the area and seek alternative routes. The protest is in response to the recent arrest of an yeshiva student in Jerusalem who was classified as a draft dodger. The Jerusalem Faction, an extremist Haredi group opposing military conscription, has increasingly used road blockades as a primary protest tactic, quickly mobilizing demonstrators via an internal alert system. This marks the third major road closure by the group in three weeks, following similar disruptions in August and last week near Yavne. A protest on election night in Bnei Brak also attempted to block Highway 4. Police stated those arrests were for disturbing the peace and had no connection to draft evasion. The protests are occurring amidst a legal battle over a recently passed Knesset law intended to prevent the arrest of yeshiva students evading military service. The Supreme Court has issued an interim order freezing the law following multiple petitions, leading the Military Police to resume arrests, with each arrest triggering further protests and road closures. These recurring blockades on Highway 4, a vital and heavily trafficked route, cause significant economic damage, including lost work hours, delayed deliveries, and reduced service calls, impacting small businesses, delivery drivers, and commuters. Businesses in the Gush Dan region are already adapting by adjusting work shifts and delivery routes. Given the ongoing legal uncertainty and continued arrests, the Jerusalem Faction is expected to continue using Highway 4 as its main protest venue.