Dozens of Haredi activists blocked Highway 4 near Ashdod early Monday after a police unit arrested a Haredi draft deserter, Israeli media report. The activists issued a mass mobilization alert and converged on the scene within minutes, forcing police to release the deserter and abandon the arrest.
Early Monday morning, a police unit on Highway 4 near Ashdod arrested a Haredi draft deserter and prepared to transfer him to military police custody. Internal Haredi channels immediately issued a 'black alert' mass mobilization warning, and within minutes dozens of activists reached the scene, blocked the road, and forced police to release the deserter, according to reports circulating in Israeli media.
This incident is the latest in an escalating pattern of confrontations over military service by Haredi draft evaders. As The Zioneer has reported in recent days, Haredi protesters have blocked highways in multiple cities, halted trains, and clashed with police and drivers since arrests of draft evaders intensified last week. Senior police officials have privately urged a halt to proactive arrests to de-escalate tensions, a stance now openly defied by events on the ground.
The identity of the deserter and his specific status remain unconfirmed. No official police statement has been issued regarding the early morning confrontation.
- StrongHundreds of Haredim block police in Ashdod to prevent arrest of draft deserter — who is not Haredi
- StrongHaredi protesters block Gilat Junction after extremist mobilization to prevent draftee arrest
- DevelopingHaredi protests spread to multiple cities after draft dodger arrests
- DevelopingTraffic police hold Haredi draft evader on Highway 85, activists call for protest
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