Ultra-Orthodox Jews block Israeli highway in protest of IDF draft

Dozens of ultra-Orthodox Jewish protesters blocked Highway 4, near the haredi city of Bnei Brak, in a demonstration against recent calls for equal IDF conscription rules on Sunday afternoon.

The protesters can be seen blocking vehicles and clashing with police officers at the intersection near the Coca-Cola factory in Bnei Brak in footage shared on social media.

מאות חרדים מהפלג הירושלמי מפגינים וחוסמים את כביש 4 באזור צומת קוקה-קולה בעקבות הבג"ץ בנושא חוק הגיוס@OrRavid pic.twitter.com/jlCvSY92ds

— החדשות - N12 (@N12News) March 3, 2024

According to Israeli media, the protesters were affiliated with the Peleg Yerushalmi sect.

During the protest, an Israeli border police officer was seen kicking a protester.

הפגנת החרדים בכביש 4: שוטרת מג"ב צולמה בועטת במפגין@AnnaPines_ pic.twitter.com/zVMZJj9OcE

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) March 3, 2024

Israel Police released a statement on the matter, saying: "Traffic arrangements on Highway 4 following an illegal demonstration: Israeli police officers are on the scene directing traffic to alternative routes.

Route 4 to the North - traffic is diverted to Route 471. Highway 4 to the South - traffic is directed towards Am Moshevat, Bnei-Brak. We recommend traveling by alternative routes."

Later, the Israel police provided an update, signaling that the protest had ended while summarizing the event and claiming that some protesters had called the police "Nazis."

The update read: "All the roads are open to traffic following an illegal demonstration starting at noon, hundreds of protesters began to break the order and block highway 4, clashing with the police, while they laid down on the road under the vehicles accompanied by calls of "Nazis" at the police. During the evacuation of some of the protesters, the police had to use force in order to stop the offense and the violation of freedom of movement.  The Israel Police considers the right to protest as a cornerstone in a democratic country and allows protests as long as they are held within the framework of the law. At the same time, the police will not allow disturbances of any kind or damage to freedom of movement or any behavior that may endanger the safety of the public."

Gallant sets ultimatum for haredi IDF draft

The haredim's protest comes after Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, for the first time, publicly called for a "wide consensus" bill that would end the blanket exemption given to the ultra-Orthodox on Wednesday evening. Gallant said that there was a "real and direct" need to lengthen the service of mandatory and reserve IDF soldiers but that "the war has proven that everyone must enter under the stretcher."

A day later, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he believed he could pass a draft law arrangement that would not tear the nation apart and would be supported by a majority in the Knesset.