developing· Security· Updated 18:06

Ultra-Orthodox Protest Blocks Israel's Busiest Interchange During Rush Hour

On Thursday afternoon, October 29, 2026, ultra-Orthodox protesters from the Jerusalem Faction blocked Highway 4 and the Geha Interchange near Bnei Brak, causing severe traffic disruptions during peak rush hour. The demonstration was organized to protest the arrest of Alon Smadja, a yeshiva student and draft evader from Jerusalem who was apprehended by military police outside his home last week.

5 newsrooms · 2 languages · since 15:45

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Ultra-Orthodox Protest Blocks Israel's Busiest Interchange During Rush Hour — Illustration by baba

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What happened

01Ultra-Orthodox protesters from the Jerusalem Faction blocked Highway 4 and the Geha Interchange near Bnei Brak on Thursday afternoon, October 29, 2026.
02The demonstration was held to protest the arrest of Alon Smadja, a yeshiva student and draft evader from Jerusalem.
03Police closed Highway 4 in both directions between the Aluf Sadeh and Em Hamoshavot interchanges, causing severe rush-hour traffic.
04Followers of Rabbi Tzvi Friedman also blocked train tracks in the Petah Tikva area, according to Ice.
05The Israel Police declared the protest illegal and used force to clear the demonstrators after issuing warnings.
06The road closures and disruptions affected hundreds of thousands of commuters and public transport users in the Gush Dan region.

The protest led to the closure of Highway 4 in both directions between the Aluf Sadeh and Em Hamoshavot interchanges, as well as Jabotinsky Road in Bnei Brak. According to Ice, followers of Rabbi Tzvi Friedman also blocked train tracks in the Petah Tikva area. The closures caused massive traffic jams in the Gush Dan region, affecting hundreds of thousands of drivers and public transport users.

Police forces from the Dan region were deployed to direct traffic and maintain public order. After protesters blocked the road, police declared the demonstration illegal, and an officer warned the crowd before law enforcement intervened and used force. Authorities advised drivers to avoid the area and use alternative routes.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 4 newsrooms. Updated 18:12

Latest report: Ice. Read Ice’s original