An ultra-Orthodox (haredi) protester was dragged by a vehicle at the entrance to Jerusalem as hundreds of demonstrators gathered near the Chords Bridge on Thursday afternoon to protest the arrest of draft dodgers.
The protest, organized by the anti-IDF draft extremist haredi Jerusalem Faction (Peleg Yerushalmi), is taking place throughout central Israel and Jerusalem following the arrest of two haredi draft evaders earlier this week in Beersheba and Eilat.
In Jerusalem, the city's light rail operations were halted due to the protests. Police added that dozens of protesters had gathered on Bar-Ilan Street, disrupting traffic in the area.
Footage shared on social media shows police officers attempting to forcibly drag protesters off the road near the entrance to the city.
Additionally, protesters in Jerusalem stopped a vehicle carrying a haredi soldier. The soldier was rescued by police officers operating at the scene, who were forced to rescue him using tear gas to repel the protesters.
In central Israel, Israel Police closed Highway 4 to traffic. Earlier in the day, officers were deployed near the Bnei Brak Interchange and Geha Junction, at the entrance to Petah Tikva.
"Protest is a right; disturbing public order is not," said Police Commissioner Daniel Levy in an afternoon police statement.
Protesters also arrived at an election campaign conference held by the haredi Sephardi Shas party in Modi'in Illit. Party chairman Arye Deri was present at the event, a Shas spokesperson confirmed to The Jerusalem Post.
Preperations have been made by police in the area of Ben-Gurion Airport as well, in case of protests beginning at nearby locations.
Based on previous protests, the demonstrations last between two and three hours and cause severe traffic disruptions during rush hour. Police recommend the public stay updated on road blockages and congestion and, where possible, travel via alternate routes.
Ramat Gan concert expected to draw 17,000 people
A second major event is expected to add to traffic congestion, with a concert at Ramat Gan Stadium on Thursday evening.
The show, featuring Israeli artists Omer Adam, Odaya, Osher Cohen, Idan Raichel, Ben Zur, and Rita, is expected to draw approximately 17,000 spectators, adding significant vehicle and pedestrian traffic to roads leading to the stadium and surrounding area.
Police will have to manage both events simultaneously, assigning officers to maintain public order at the protest sites while also securing the concert and directing traffic around the stadium.
The main concern is that road blockages during the protests, should they occur, could also affect traffic heading toward Ramat Gan Stadium and cause widespread disruptions throughout the area.
Keshet Neev, Avi Solomon, Alon Hachmon, Hodaya Ran, and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.