Ultra-Orthodox protest organizers are planning vehicle convoys departing from at least 19 cities at 4 p.m. Wednesday to protest the enforcement of mandatory IDF conscription and the arrest of Haredi men for draft evasion, according to The Jerusalem Post. The convoys are expected to travel at low speed and cause significant traffic disruptions.
The Jerusalem Post reported Wednesday morning that ultra-Orthodox protest organizers are planning a new wave of vehicle convoys from 19 cities at 4 p.m. Wednesday, aimed at disrupting traffic in protest of IDF draft enforcement and arrests of Haredi men. This follows a series of escalating convoys over the past day.
At 21:32 Tuesday, The Zioneer first reported that organizers had called for mass convoys from 19 cities toward Military Prison 10 at Beit Lid, starting at 4 p.m. Twenty minutes later, at 22:26 Tuesday, an activist posted that 1,000–2,500 vehicles would travel at 50 km/h. By 07:03 Wednesday, organizers threatened to block roads nationwide if police disrupted the convoys. At 09:43 Wednesday, The Zioneer reported that a convoy of over 2,000 vehicles had already departed from 19 locations toward Prison 10, traveling at a steady 50 km/h. The new 4 p.m. convoys appear to be a second wave consolidating the same tactic.
The protests stem from the government's enforcement of mandatory conscription for yeshiva students, a policy that has drawn weeks of demonstrations. As The Zioneer previously reported, over 120 alleged draft dodgers were assigned to Haredi service tracks in the IDF on June 10, and senior police officials have urged halting proactive arrests to ease tensions.
It remains unclear whether police will attempt to block the convoys, how large the turnout will be, or what specific traffic alerts will be issued.
9 developments
- StrongHaredi protest organizers say they will block roads if convoys are disrupted
- StrongMajor traffic disruptions expected in 19 cities as anti-government protests resume
- StrongHaredi protesters block highways, halt trains across central Israel
- DevelopingHaredi protests spread to multiple cities after draft dodger arrests
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