Protesters affiliated with the Jerusalem Faction are blocking the Ben Shemen interchange, according to reports. Police and traffic authorities are likely responding at the scene.
The Ben Shemen Interchange, a major junction on Highway 1 southeast of Tel Aviv, was blocked by protesters from the Jerusalem Faction (the hardline ultra-Orthodox group) shortly before 17:35 local time. The demonstration appears to be part of a broader pattern of protest actions by the group, which has staged similar blockades in recent weeks over conscription issues and other policies. Traffic disruptions on the key artery between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are expected to be significant. No reports of arrests or violent clashes have emerged so far.
3 developments
- DevelopingJerusalem faction sets protest for 17:00 in central Israel
- DevelopingJerusalem faction moves morning protest to morning, hours earlier than usual
- StrongHaredi protest in Jerusalem ends after about 4 hours
- DevelopingJerusalem faction accuses police of humiliating, unrestrained violence against protesters
Source and signal
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