Police arrest 8 after Ayalon Highway blockage

Police arrested eight people after they blocked the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv, according to N12. The blockage snarled traffic on the major artery.

Police have confirmed the arrest of eight individuals following the blocking of the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv on Thursday evening, according to N12. The arrests mark the conclusion of a protest that began earlier in the evening when demonstrators blocked the northbound lanes of the highway, snarling traffic on the major artery. The latest development was reported around 18:38 Jerusalem, when police were seen making arrests at the scene, and shortly thereafter N12 reported the final count of eight detainees.

The protest first emerged around 18:38 Jerusalem, when Channel 12 reported that demonstrators demanding a state commission of inquiry had blocked the northbound Ayalon Highway. That initial report was corroborated by photographers Danor Aharon and Amir Goldstein, who captured images and footage of the blockade. Within the same hour, police began making arrests, as N12 footage showed. The identities of those arrested and the specific charges against them have not yet been reported, and the circumstances of the protest that led to the highway blockage remain unclear.

The protest occurs against a backdrop of ongoing demonstrations calling for a state commission of inquiry, as The Zioneer has reported. Similar public order incidents have occurred recently, including the arrest of five individuals at the Geha Interchange on Wednesday, June 17, for public order violations during ongoing demonstrations.

It remains unclear what prompted the specific timing of tonight's highway blockage, and the identities of the eight arrestees have not been released. Official charges have yet to be detailed by police.

7 developments

1. 4 hours ago · 19:06 · 2 JulLatest

   Ayalon Highway has reopened to traffic following the protest

2. 19:00 · 2 Jul

   Police confirmed the arrest of eight individuals following the highway blockage.

3. 18:59 · 2 Jul

   Highway reopened following the arrest of eight protesters blocking the road.

• Strong19:45 · 11 JunAll highways reopen, trains resume after two hours of protest disruption
• Developing3 hours ago · 19:44 · 2 JulPolice say Ayalon Highway procession is licensed, not a blockade
• Strong19:10 · 11 JunPolice use water cannon, stun grenades to reopen Highway 6; organizers call off protest
• Developing19:44 · 10 JunPolice clear Haredi protesters, reopen Jerusalem roads

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