Full coverage· Security· Updated 18:56

Police Officers Injured in Ultra-Orthodox Protest Near Bnei Brak

Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox demonstrators from the Jerusalem Faction blocked Highway 4 near Bnei Brak on Thursday afternoon, protesting the arrest of a draft dodger who was sentenced to two weeks in military prison. The protest, which began around 4:00 PM, caused massive traffic jams and led to the closure of the highway in both directions between the Aluf Sadeh and Em Hamoshavot interchanges. Protesters also blocked light rail stations and train tracks in Petah Tikva, temporarily halting train services.

11 newsrooms · 2 languages · since 15:01

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Police Officers Injured in Ultra-Orthodox Protest Near Bnei Brak — Illustration by baba

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What happened

01Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox protesters blocked Highway 4 near Bnei Brak on Thursday afternoon to protest the arrest of a draft dodger.
02The protest closed Highway 4 in both directions between the Aluf Sadeh and Em Hamoshavot interchanges, causing massive traffic delays.
03Demonstrators blocked train tracks and light rail stations in Petah Tikva, temporarily halting train services in the area.
04Police declared the demonstration illegal and deployed stun grenades to disperse the crowd.
05Three police officers were injured by protesters, including one who suffered broken ribs and another hit in the head by a stone.
06An i24NEWS reporter was physically assaulted, spat on, and called derogatory names by demonstrators during the protest.
07One protester was lightly injured by a stun grenade and evacuated to a hospital by Magen David Adom.
08The protest was organized by the Jerusalem Faction following the arrest of a yeshiva student in Jerusalem the previous week.

Police declared the demonstration illegal and used force and stun grenades to disperse the crowd. According to Haaretz, about 200 protesters were present. Demonstrators threw stones at law enforcement, injuring three police officers, including one who suffered broken ribs and another who was hit in the head by a stone. An i24NEWS reporter, Shani Weissman, was also physically assaulted, spat on, and had bottles thrown at her by demonstrators.

Several protesters were injured during the clashes, with one lightly injured demonstrator evacuated to a hospital, according to Magen David Adom. Protesters claimed that police threw stun grenades directly at them. Police advised drivers to avoid the area and use alternative routes as they worked to clear the road and restore public order.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 11 newsrooms. Updated 19:26