Israel Police is preparing for haredi (ultra-Orthodox) demonstrations, which are expected to take place on Wednesday at a number of locations across the country, after anti-draft activists, including the Jerusalem Faction (Peleg Yerushalmi), called for nationwide disruptions.
Vehicle convoys are scheduled to depart from dozens of locations to protest the implementation of the mandatory draft, as well as the arrests of haredi men marked as draft evaders and rioters. Organizers claim that thousands of drivers have already announced their participation.
The demonstration is being organized by Agudat Yisrael, part of the United Torah Judaism Knesset faction, though other groups within the haredi community, including the Jerusalem Faction, are expected to join the widespread protest on major roads and highways.
According to organizers, the convoys will depart at 4:00 p.m. from 19 different locations throughout the country, ranging from Safed in the north to Arad in the south, and will travel along major routes, including Highways 1, 4, and 6, the Aluf Sadeh Interchange, and the Ganot Interchange in the Center, Bar Ilan Street and the Chords Bridge area in Jerusalem, and the Elad Junction.
The designated 19 cities are listed as: Jerusalem, Elad, Ashdod, Tiberias, Betar Illit, Beit Shemesh, Bnei Brak, Givat Ze'ev, Haifa, Hatzor Haglilit, Modin'in Illit, Nof Hagalil, Netanya, Arad, Safed, Kiryat Gat, and Rehovot.
Impromptu flash protests by Jerusalem Faction likely in the afternoon
The police are reinforcing their presence to regulate traffic and recommend that drivers use alternative routes due to anticipated heavy congestion. However, police sources do not rule out the possibility that the Jerusalem Faction may also attempt to hold impromptu flash protests this evening, in light of an unofficial message circulating on social media.
The police are monitoring messages and conducting situational assessments to remain prepared. Their major concern is that protests will lead to massive traffic jams on major highways, which could lead to the collapse of the traffic system across extensive areas. In the case of such a development, the police may deploy large forces to divert traffic and break up demonstrations.
In a statement released by the organizing committee, it was stated that the goal of the protest is to bring about the "immediate release of all detainees of the Torah world," to halt the arrests, and to revoke what they define as "decrees against Torah students and their families."
Calls on the haredi public, supporters to join protest, send message to government
The organizers further claimed, "We will not sit idly by while our brothers are behind bars for the crime of studying Torah."
The convoy organizers are calling on the Haredi public and its supporters to join the protest, which they say is intended to send a sharp message to the government and the defense establishment regarding enlistment policy.