Protest following the arrest of a deserter: which roads are expected to be blocked
Radical Haredim are expected to hold a protest today at 16:00 following the arrest of a yeshiva student defined as a deserter. As of now, the location of the demonstration has not yet been determined, but in the past, protesters have tended to block Highway 4 around 17:00. During a demonstration held about two weeks ago, violent clashes were recorded, during which soldiers were attacked, including a Haredi soldier from the 'Netzah Yehuda' battalion who was rescued by the police.
The Israel Police is preparing for the renewal of protests by radicals against the backdrop of the conscription issue.
Tomorrow (Monday) at 16:00, Haredi protesters are expected to demonstrate following the arrest of a yeshiva student defined as a deserter from military service. As of this hour, the organizers have not yet made a final decision regarding the exact location where the protest will take place, which makes focused preparation difficult. However, past experience shows that protesters usually tend to gather around 17:00 and block traffic on Highway 4, which is one of the main traffic arteries.
Current preparations come in the shadow of the severe protest events that took place in the area about two weeks ago. In that incident, Highway 4 was completely blocked in both directions on the busy section between the Aluf Sadeh interchange and the Em HaMoshavot interchange. Police forces and traffic police had to work at the scene for a long time to direct traffic and divert drivers to alternative routes.
The previous demonstration caused a fierce public outcry after it escalated into violence against those in uniform. A Haredi soldier from the 'Netzah Yehuda' battalion who was passing by was violently attacked by the protesters and was rescued from the angry mob only through the rapid intervention of police forces. The incident did not end there, and during that same demonstration, other soldiers who happened to be at the scene of the blockade were also attacked by the protesters.
