Violent confrontations erupted Thursday afternoon in Yerushalayim and Bnei Brak as thousands of Chareidim affiliated with the Peleg Yerushalmi faction took to the streets to protest the renewed arrests of yeshiva bochurim accused of failing to report for military service.
Disturbing footage from the protests shows police officers using stun grenades and batons against demonstrators, while one female officer was filmed grabbing a protester by his tzitzis and pulling so forcefully that they tore.
The most intense clashes unfolded near the Chords Bridge at the entrance to Yerushalayim, where hundreds of protesters blocked major roads, bringing traffic to a standstill.
In one particularly troubling incident, a female police officer was recorded attempting to drag a Chareidi protester who was lying on the roadway by grabbing his tzitzis. The officer continued pulling until the garment tore.
Additional footage showed police striking protesters with batons and deploying stun grenades as they attempted to clear the roadway.
Police also used stun grenades while attempting to extract a vehicle carrying a Chareidi soldier who had become trapped amid the demonstrations.
Meanwhile, a separate incident near the entrance to Yerushalayim raised serious concerns after footage showed a protester being struck by a vehicle. Israeli media described the incident as a suspected ramming attempt, although the circumstances were not immediately clear.
Similar scenes unfolded near Bnei Brak, where demonstrators blocked Highway 4 near the Geha Interchange and the Coca-Cola Bridge. Videos showed police officers repeatedly striking protesters with batons as they attempted to reopen the roadway.
The demonstrations caused widespread traffic disruptions throughout central Israel. Highway 4 was closed in both directions between the Aluf Sadeh and Em HaMoshavot interchanges, while significant congestion was reported along Highway 1 and other major routes leading into Yerushalayim.
The Israel Airports Authority had earlier warned travelers heading to Ben Gurion Airport to anticipate possible delays due to the demonstrations.
Thursday’s protests followed a series of arrests involving yeshiva bochurim classified by military authorities as draft evaders. Earlier this week, two bochurim were sentenced to 20 days in military detention, further intensifying anger within the Chareidi community.
Additional attempted arrests were reported in Modi’in, Dimona, and Bat Yam, where demonstrators mobilized to prevent military police from taking bochurim into custody.
Following the latest developments, HaRav Azriel Auerbach, the leader of Peleg Yerushalmi, called for widespread demonstrations, urging members of the faction to participate in the protests.
Police defended their actions, claiming that protesters had blocked roads, confronted motorists, and damaged vehicles.
In a statement concerning the Yerushalayim demonstration, police said officers declared the gathering unlawful after protesters allegedly engaged in violence against motorists and obstructed major traffic arteries.
Police Commissioner Danny Levy also instructed commanders to take decisive action against disruptions to public order.
“Protest is a right, disrupting public order is not,” Levy said.
Police warned that demonstrations involving roadblocks or violence would be dispersed and that officers would not hesitate to arrest those violating the law.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
